WATCH THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DANUBE RIVER · WWW.ICPDR.ORG 3 / 2018

SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT: Transnational cooperation in the Danube Basin

SOCIAL MEDIA: Reaching out to the people of the Danube

JOINT DANUBE SURVEY 4: Ensuring good chemical and ecological status for the entire Danube River Basin Dear readers How public participation is changing

Reaching out to the people of the News & Danube - the ICPDR launches its new events social media channels

Transnational Cooperation for Stakeholders’ Forum – Improving Sediment Management in the performance through mutual respect and Danube River a common vision

International Waters Learning Exchange The Joint Danube Survey - JDS 4 and Resource Network - IW:Learn

The (dis)balance of An experiment in restoring underwater vegetation - sediments in the Danube an innovative project being undertaken by the City River Basin of Vienna‘s Water Department

Restoring rivers to their natural state - an interview with Walter Binder

Vienna, : 20 Corjova, : 6 Site of an innovative Home to the winner of the project designed to res- Belgrade, : 16 International Danube Art tore the natural balance Master Competition 2018 of plant life in the‘Old Headquarters of Plovput, Danube‘ the Directorate for Inland Waterways © ICPDR

ICPDR has however taken significant steps to reveal the knowledge gaps concerning sediment in the “Danube Dear readers, Basin Analysis Report” of 2004, the “Sediment Issue Pa- Most of you who work with the Danube or live near the per” in 2006, and the first and second “Danube River Ba- river are probably aware of the fact that a river does not sin Management Plans” in 2009 and 2015. Furthermore, only carry water, but also solid particles called sediment. other relevant organisations, such as the SedNet Europe- Sediments can be small particles of clay, silt, sand or an network, are also working to bring together experts coarser gravel. Their movement in the river is quite com- in the field of sediment in order to improve sediment plex because they can either settle on the riverbed or be management strategies. suspended and transported by the water. The movement of sediment depends on the water flow, the sediment The ongoing DanubeSediment project, which is being size, shape, and the type of material it is made up of. As implemented within the framework of the Danube Trans- a consequence, sediments play a major role in the devel- national Programme, will also provide a substantial con- opment of the structure of the river. tribution towards basin-wide sediment management. The project will develop the first transnational Danube Due to the complex physical background of sediment Sediment Management Guidance (DSMG) containing transport processes in rivers, our knowledge is far from concrete recommendations and explaining what types complete. Many problems concerning river manage- of measures can be implemented to improve sediment ment issues are strongly connected to river morpholo- management. This information will support the ICPDR in gy and the movement of sediment. Let’s focus on the developing both the next Danube River Basin Manage- Danube River: just think about how flood events can fill ment Plan and Danube Flood Risk Management Plan. floodplains with sediment, or reservoirs with fine sedi- ment deposits, thereby decreasing their water retention Working on sediment-related issues, we believe that all capacity; or the problems that low-water levels cause for the efforts made to develop and improve river-wide sed- navigation in the free-flowing sections of the river. All of iment management, involving researchers, practitioners these sediment-related aspects influence human life and and relevant stakeholders, will lead to a more sustaina- the ecology and economy of the Danube Region. ble use of the Danube River that will benefit both people and nature alike. Despite the direct and indirect links between various wa- ter management problems, the ICPDR has not officially Dr. Péter BAKONYI is Project Director of DanubeSediment and declared sediment to be one of the “Significant Water former Chair of the ICPDR Flood Protection Expert Group (FP Management Issues” in the Danube River Basin. The EG).

For a free subscription IMPRINT to Danube Watch, or to contribute to Danube Owner/Publisher: ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection Watch, please contact of the Danube River, Vienna, [email protected]; [email protected] Executive Editor: Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov; Editor: Robert Ives; Design: Wagesreiter & Polaschek Grafikdesign OG; Print: Gerin Druck GmbH; Danube Watch is Online publishing: Alex Höbart; Cover photo: © Stock colors, The Danube Delta available on the web is home to two species of pelicans. The pelican is the symbol of the Delta. at www.icpdr.org

Danube Watch is the official magazine of the ICPDR, the International Commis- sion for the Protection of the Danube River. Danube Watch enhances regional PEFC Certi ed cooperation and information sharing on sustainable water management and environmental protection in the Danube River Basin. It reports on current This product is from sustainably managed issues affecting the Danube Basin, and on action taken to deal with challenges forest and controlled sources in the river basin. Striving for scientific accuracy while remaining concise, clear and readable, it is produced for the wide range of people who are actively in- www.pefc.at volved in the Danube River Basin and are working to improve its environment.

The ICPDR accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard Danube Watch is printed on IQ Print, 170 & 100 g/m2. to information or opinions of the authors of the articles in this issue.

DANUBE WATCH 3 News & Events

EU Water Conference 2018 The 5th European Water Conference took place on 20-21 Sep- tember 2018 in Vienna and was jointly organised by the Euro- pean Commission's Directorate-General for the Environment and the Austrian EU Presidency. The aim of the conference was to review progress on the implementation of EU water legislation.

Around 400 representatives from EU countries, stakeholder groups from relevant economic, social and environmental sec- tors, the European Commission, the European Environment Agency and other EU institutions had the opportunity - toex change ideas and experiences concerning the next water plan- ning cycles. The ongoing Fitness Check for the Water Framework © European Commission Directive, its associated Directives and the Floods Directive, along with the evaluation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment ter Report from the European Environment Agency was published. Directive (UWWTD) were also discussed. This was followed in November by a new comprehensive assess- ment of the state of implementation, which included a Commission The main objective of EU water legislation is to achieve good sta- report on the EU Member States' second River Basin Management tus of the EU's water resources. On 3 July, the 2018 State of Wa- Plans and first Flood Risk Management Plans.

Restoring routes in the Danube River Basin - Feasibility study on Iron Gate dams commissioned to explore joint solutions mania and Serbia. The dams provide vast amounts of sustainable hydropower for the region and also make navigation both easier and safer on the Danube. However, the disruption they cause to © HE Đerdap the river’s continuity constitutes a serious obstacle for migratory fish, including not only the sturgeon species, but also the Danube salmon and the European eel.

Faced with the issues of loss of biodiversity and habitat degrada- tion, stakeholders and international experts have joined together to raise awareness of the need for ambitious fish conservation measures. To this end, the 2020 target for the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, the EU Water Framework Directive, the EU Habi- The signing of the funding agreement between the ICPDR and tats Directive and the Bern Convention provide a framework for the DG REGIO will enable the further development of a feasibility development of specific conservation measures. study that aims to identify measures to preserve fish stocks on the Romanian-Serbian . The feasibility study, supported by the European Commission, aims to further harmonise and strengthen these initiatives. The This action is an important step in the ongoing efforts to achieve first phase of the study ran from 2011 to 2016 and facilitated di- one of the central objectives of the EU Strategy for the Danube alogue between the ICPDR, relevant stakeholders, and the Euro- River: saving the beleaguered Danube sturgeons from extinc- pean Commission (represented by DG REGIO and DG ENV). The tion. Despite its longevity, this iconic fish is considered to be one project is now entering its second phase. This entails a feasibility of the most endangered species in the world. study, with a budget of €400,000, which is expected to run until 2020. The third and fourth phases will consolidate technical de- The hydroelectric power plants Iron Gates I and II are the larg- sign and are planned for 2021-2023. Implementation is planned est dams on the Danube River and are jointly managed by Ro- for 2024 onwards.

4 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 5 ICPDR presented with the WWF’s highest award

© ICPDR had awarded the ICPDR a Gift to the , its highest award, in recognition of the transformational role that it has played in promoting and securing clean flowing rivers as well as healthy habitats and species in the Danube River Basin. He emphasised the fact that the ICPDR was “a model for integrated river basin management across the world’s most international river basin.”

Helge Wendenburg, the current President of the ICPDR, said that he was honoured to receive the award on behalf of the ICPDR and went on to stress that although the focus of the ICPDR is on the Danube River Basin, many of the issues dealt with by the organisation, such as water quality and freshwater conservation, are global issues that affect everyone. Concluding On 12 December 2018 the WWF presented a Gift to the Earth, its his speech, Mr Wendenburg said that he hoped that the benefits highest award, to the ICPDR at a ceremony at the UN in Vienna. the ICPDR brings to the Danube River Basin would also be shared by all the people in the world and said that the ICPDR was very Andreas Beckmann, Managing Director of the WWF Danube-Car- happy to be working with a global organisation like the WWF pathian Programme, praised the ICPDR, by saying that the WWF that shares the same values as the ICPDR.

Moldova is the winner of the International Danube Art Master Competition 2018 On 29 October 2018, the winner of the ‘International Danube Art Master 2018’ competition was announced by Susanne Brandstet- ter, Chairperson of the Public Participation Expert Group for the ICPDR. The winner was 17-year-old Ion Zatic from Moldova.

© DanubeArtMaster The title of Ion’s winning artwork wasEverything that man touches is transformed into a closed ecosystem! A student at the Corjova School in Moldova, Ion is concerned about the damage caused to natural habitats by industrialisation and urbanisation. His creation appeals for everyone to put more efforts into preserving existing natural ecosystems instead of creating artificial ones.

Second place went to 13-year-old Anais König, a student at the Lycée Français in Vienna Austria, for her project Inspired by the Danube, and third place was awarded to Sara Đuka, Tamara Petro- vić and Marija Rašković from Prva Beogradska Gimnazija, Belgrade, Serbia for their project entitledPlay by the Danube. Second place in the video category was awarded to a group of 8th and 9th grade students from the Georgi Benkovsky Compre- Video category The video category was won by the short video hensive school in Teteven Bulgaria for the cleaning and restock- "We are Danube" created by Katarína Kováčová, Agáta Klimešová, ing of the Bely river with baby trout for a healthier Danube. Denis Gerža and Linda Várošová from the Design School in Brati- slava. Their message is that the Danube is an important natural Third place was awarded to a team of international School - ex habitat for countless species of animals, plays a significant role in change students from the Anton-Bruckner-Gymnasium in Straub- people’s lives and creates a strong bond between the countries ing, and Brucknergymnasium Wels, Austria for their that share the Danube; a bond that people should appreciate and video, Donauforscher (the Danube Researchers) which deals with cherish. the subject of water pollution caused by microplastics.

4 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 5 Transnational Cooperation for Sediment Management in the Danube River

The Danube River, east of Vienna, view from Braunsberg; Foto: © Philipp Gmeiner, IWHW-BOKU, Vienna

he transport of sediments, such as gravel and sand, is a Closing knowledge gaps natural process in river systems. Over the decades, hu- The project partners began by collecting data on sediment T man activities along the Danube and its tributaries have transport throughout the Danube and its main tributaries. Joint led to substantial changes in the natural sediment regime. measurement campaigns in Austria, Romania and Serbia ena- These changes negatively influence important water manage- bled a comparison and harmonisation of the methods used to ment issues such as flood risk and erosion protection, inland collect sediment data. The project team will use this data to cal- navigation, biodiversity and hydropower production. In order to culate a Danube-wide sediment balance. This sediment balance address these changes, we need an integrated sediment man- will analyse the sources, sinks and redistribution of sediment agement plan for the Danube. The ICPDR recognises the seri- throughout the Danube. ousness of this issue and identifies this lack of management in the Danube River Basin Management Plans for 2009 and 2015. In order to understand the reasons for the changes in sediment quantity and continuity, the project is reviewing key drivers and To tackle this challenge, policymakers, researchers, administra- pressures on the sediment balance and assessing their impact. tions, environmental organisations and companies from nine Supported by stakeholders throughout the basin, DanubeSedi- countries along the Danube began working together on the Dan- ment is collecting good practice measures to improve sediment ubeSediment project in January 2017. The two-and-a-half-year transport. These measures should in turn reduce habitat loss by project seeks to improve water and sediment management, as improving and securing river system functionality. well as the morphology of the Danube River. It has a budget of €3.56 million and is co-funded by the (ERDF and IPA funds) through the Danube Transnational Programme.

6 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 7 Strengthening governance One of the main tasks of the project is to deliver recommenda- tions for policy-makers in the field of sediment management. The project will publish a “Danube Sediment Management Guid- ance” document, making suggestions to improve monitoring and planning of sediment-related measures. Igor Liska, Technical Expert for Water Quality and Water Management at the ICPDR, says: “We are looking forward to the results of the DanubeSed- iment project, which will provide the ICPDR with essential input for the 3rd Danube River Basin Management Plan and the 2nd Danube Flood Risk Management Plan.”

Improving sediment management in practice To make the project results understandable and applicable for key stakeholders in different fields of sediment management, the project partners are actively including external experts, The two photos show instruments used to monitor sediment. The top practitioners and policymakers. Regular events take place in photo shows a US P63-Sampler, which is a best practice device for each partner country, enabling participants to transfer knowl- monitoring sediment. The photo directly above shows a water sampling edge and experiences within the project and amongst each oth- method used to analyse suspended sediment. Foto: © Marlene er. For example, in April 2018, the project invited an array of ex- Haimann / IWHW - BOKU perts from throughout the Danube River Basin to a workshop in Budapest to discuss innovative sediment monitoring methods.

This network of stakeholders from different sectors is closely in- volved in preparing the project outputs. Based on their input and cooperation, the project will publish a “Sediment Manual for Stakeholders”. Prof. Helmut Habersack, from the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, explains: “To address the needs of key stakeholders, the manual will provide each target group with a collection of specific good practice Hanna Skiba, is the communication manager of the DanubeSediment measures to improve the sediment balance.” Project and works at the Bavarian Environment Agency in Germany By fostering cooperation across and sectors, Danube- For more informationvisit our website Sediment is contributing to the development of integrated sedi- www.interreg-danube.eu/danubesediment. ment and water management that will benefit both the environ- If you would like to find out more about our project, ment and the well-being of people. please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

6 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 7 International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network - IW:Learn

© IW:learn The objective of Global Environment ble use of water and other shared eco- Facility International Waters Learning logical resources in the Danube Basin. Exchange and Resource Network The Convention came into force four (GEF-IW:Learn) is to strengthen years later, and just a few days after transboundary water management this important event the ICPDR and its by facilitating the collection of data, Permanent Secretariat was created to information and knowledge required act as the main implementation body to sustainably manage shared water of the Danube Convention. resources among stakeholders. These stakeholders include managers, The GEF’s experience in the Danube governments, partners, implementation illustrates the necessity of working agencies and NGOs. lands and floodplains had disappeared since at various spatial, temporal, and political the end of the 19th century, threatening key levels. It’s involvement began with a re- What the GEF IW:Learn project is about species – ranging from pelicans in the Dan- gional focus, supporting steps toward a The IW:LEARN project was established by ube Delta to sturgeons, in the Lower Dan- binding, international convention. Once the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to ube and beavers in the Upper Danube – and this framework was in place a top-down strengthen transboundary water manage- leading to worsening floods across the basin. approach was adopted, ranging from ba- ment around the globe by collecting and sin-wide agreements, the implementation sharing best practices, lessons learned, and Pollution, especially from organic -sub of bi-national, national and local measures, innovative solutions to common problems. stances and nutrients, posed a major long- through to working with individual farmers Based in Paris, it promotes experience term threat to the environment. The GEF to improve their practices. The lessons sharing and learning among the GEF Inter- therefore began its work in earnest with learnt from the GEF are now being applied national Waters projects and partners. The a single goal: to build the willingness and to other transboundary waters, such as the project is implemented by the UNDP and capacity between a diverse group of ripar- Benguela Current off the southern African UNEP, and executed by IOC-UNESCO. ian nations to work together. The work- coast, Lake Victoria, and the Guarani Aqui- ing hypothesis of the GEF’s International fer located beneath the surface of Argenti- The GEF Waters intervention was to get countries na, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, as well as The GEF is an independent financial organ- to realise the benefits of shared water Orange-Senqu River Basin. isation which was established on the eve of resources through cooperation with their the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle neighbours. Everyone in the Danube Ba- The support provided by the GEF and the our planet’s most pressing environmental sin needed to understand the benefits of UNDP has turned the Danube into a model problems. It provides grants and also de- working together to share and improve of integrated river basin management, en- ploys non-grant instruments to developing transboundary resources. abling the ICPDR to implement the Water countries and countries with economies in Framework Directive (WFD), which has now transition, for projects related to biodiver- By the early 1990s the European Union become the benchmark for European trans- sity, climate change, international waters, had replaced the Soviet Union as the re- boundary water bodies. The GEF has also land degradation, the ozone layer and per- gion’s dominant economic engine and supported the Commission in its philosophy sistent organic pollutants. Over the past the promise of EU accession and the sub- of adopting a holistic approach to the pres- 27 years, the GEF has developed into an sequent need to meet its stringent envi- sures facing the river, including eutrophica- international partnership of 183 countries. ronmental directives provided the driving tion problems caused by agricultural inputs, It has provided over $17.9 billion in grants force for environmental change in the Dan- the importance of flood buffering attributes and mobilised an additional $93.2 billion in ube Basin. The GEF and the United Nations of riverine , and the critical need to co-financing for more than 4,500 projects Development Programme (UNDP) provid- improve tariff and charge schemes for wa- in 170 countries. ed countries with significant assistance to ter and sanitation systems. help build their capacity to meet the EU’s The GEF and the ICPDR accession and legislative challenges. Ultimately, GEF and UNDP efforts in the By the mid-1980s, the need for urgent ac- Danube and Black area have become tion in the Danube Basin had become clear. In 1994, 11 Danube countries and the Eu- a model for expanding public awareness of Over the previous 150 years, growing hu- ropean Commission met in Sofia to sign the need to embrace integrated water re- man populations and booming industries the Danube River Protection Convention. source management as a way of ensuring had wreaked serious environmental havoc. This agreement provided the overall legal that economies can grow without environ- Around 80 percent of the Danube’s wet- framework for the protection and sustaina- mental destruction.

8 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 9 This Strategic Partnership serves as an ex- sustainable human development and ca- water ecosystem projects, the ICPDR led a ample of how the GEF can be a catalyst for pacity building, as well as regional cooper- workshop designed to inform interested addressing serious transboundary environ- ation and coordination in the Danube River participants on freshwater and groundwa- mental water problems by leveraging sig- Basin and the area. It also ena- ter resource management by providing a nificant additional funds from key Europe- bled the sustainable management of nat- case-study analysis and replicable exam- an Union institutions. It is also successful ural resources and biodiversity by defining ples in order to: because of its ability to work with key im- priority actions for nutrient reduction and plementing agencies – including the World pollution control. identify common interests in successful Bank, the UNDP and the United Nations projects, Environment Programme (UNEP) – to de- IWC9 identify solutions that work (not only velop complex, multi-faceted projects. The GEF Biennial International Waters for the Danube River Basin context but Conference (IWC) is the signa- also beyond) GEF projects benefit the global environment, linking ture learning event for the GEF share lessons learned. local, national and global environmental challenges International Waters portfolio of and promoting sustainable livelihoods. Over the past projects and partners. IWCs bring The workshop provided participants with a 27 years, the GEF has supported a range of notable together project managers, tech- comprehensive overview of transboundary achievements: nical experts, participating coun- cooperation and shared water system man- try representatives, NGOs, -pri agement areas covered by the ICPDR, with Protected areas: investment in over 3,300 Protected Areas, covering more than 860 million hectares, an area vate sector and GEF Agency staff specific focus on the following aspects: larger than the size of Brazil. from more than 700 ongoing pro- jects in 70 countries. The IWC's the key attributes of an international Sustainable land and seascape: biodiversity protection principle objective is to facilitate river basin organisation (RBO) from a and planning for more than 350 million hectares of pro- cross-sectoral and portfolio-wide legal and institutional perspective ductive landscapes and seascapes. learning and experience-sharing. the key challenges for establishing a transboundary RBO Sustainable land and forestry management: 103 mil- Held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from the challenges in rallying public opinion lion hectares are under sustainable land management. 5-8 November 2018, the Ninth to acquire the necessary political sup- Support has been provided for over 380 forest-related projects, with $2.1 billion in grants that have leveraged GEF Biennial International Wa- port for setting-up an RBO an additional $9.5 billion. ters Conference (IWC9) brought together about 300 participants The aim was to enhance participants’ Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction: support from 85 countries to focus on eco- knowledge skills, enabling them to set-up for 940 climate change mitigation projects expected to nomic valuation as a tool for pro- and improve the institutional framework contribute 8.4 billion tonnes of direct and indirect GHG tecting and managing the world’s of their institutions based on the survey emission reductions over time. freshwater, and ma- conducted by IW- Learn. jor marine ecosystems. Integrated water resource management: sustainable As part of its support for the GWF-IW:Learn management of 43 transboundary river basins in 84 countries. The overriding theme of IWC9 Program, the ICPDR is committed to raising was Sustaining International Wa- awareness and experience of adaptive man- Safe disposal of hazardous chemicals: support for the ters Cooperation, with discussion agement and the strengthening of basin phasing out of 29,000 tons of ozone depleting potential tracks devoted to building traction organisations by utilising leveraging -part (ODP) materials and the sound disposal of more than for the GEF’s Transboundary Di- nerships. This is embedded in the ICPDR’s 200,000 tons of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in agnostic Analysis-Strategic Action engagement in ongoing exchanges with developing countries. Programme process, toward 2030 different basin organisations concerning and beyond, and to employing approaches and methods for transbounda- Adaption to climate change: vulnerability reduction for practices and tools for more in- ry cooperation and adaptive management. more than 11 million people in 130 countries. formed decisions and the better This is particularly the case regarding the management of systems. The sharing of lessons on the legal and institu- What the GEF has done for the Danube: Conference featured visionary speakers, tional frameworks of RBOs, methodologies campfire-chart style learning clinics, partic- for basin management and planning, and the UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project ipant-led workshops, lightning talks, small the involvement of stakeholders. Phases 1 & 2 roundtable discussions, and a film festival. financing of $17.35 million from GEF; Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov is the Technical co-financing of $19.48 million ICPDR representatives attended the con- Expert for Public Participation and duration of project: November, 2001 – ference to share experiences, learn more Communication in the ICPDR Secretariat, and August, 2007. about the achievements of other mem- the Executive Editor of Danube Watch bers’ projects, and also to discuss the fu- Learn more about the GEF IW initiative for the The UNDP Danube River Basin Regional ture within and beyond the IW community. learning exchange and resource network Project was successful in contributing to As part of the technical workshop for fresh- www.iwlearn.net/abt_iwlearn

8 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 9 The (dis)balance of sediments in the Danube River Basin

s a lifeline for both people and na- ed project DanubeSediment. The project half of the historic amount of about 60 mil- ture, the Danube River has to meet will receive the first sediment budget for lion tons of suspended sediments into the A a wide range of needs: it provides the entire Danube River and will improve Black Sea. These sediments are primarily drinking water, is a trans-European navi- our understanding of the process and close trapped in the reservoirs of the hydropow- gational corridor, serves tourism and local knowledge gaps (for more information er plants where sedimentation occurs due recreation, provides energy and ecosystem about the project see the article “Transna- to reduced flow velocities, shear stress and services and is essential for the natural envi- tional Cooperation for Sediment Manage- transport capacities. During major flood ronment. In order to make better use of this ment in the Danube River” in this issue of events, these fine sediments can be remo- essential lifeline, the Danube and its tribu- Danube Watch). Only with the help of this bilised, for example in the reservoirs of the taries have been gradually altered over the Danube-wide sediment analysis, can we Upper Danube, leading to siltation and thus years to enhance flood control, navigation propose measures and make recommen- an increase in damage to the flooded areas and, more recently, hydropower. Point and dations to improve sediment management. in the event of inundation. diffuse pollution, increased agricultural use and forestry development are intensifying Sándor Baranya, Associate Professor at the In contrast, the remaining five free flowing the aforementioned impacts. According BME Budapest, coordinates data collection sections of the Danube are experiencing to the ICPDR, when compared to the 19th and monitoring in the DanubeSediment a sediment deficit due to the longitudinal century, less than 19% of the Danube River project and says: “Our project will deliver and lateral interruption of the sediment Basin’s former flood plains remain. The rich the first comparison of historical and current continuum. Furthermore, the width of the and unique biodiversity and river habitats sediment transport data along the whole Danube is being reduced (Figure 2) and the along the Danube are at risk. Danube River.” A graph has been prepared, gradient increased because of a reduction based on the monitoring data provided by in the length of the river, which – in com- As a result of numerous interventions, the project partners, showing the develop- bination with the canalisation and discon- the sediment regime of the Danube has ment of suspended sediments along the nection from floodplains – has led to an -in changed drastically over the last century. Danube River (Figure 1). The results clearly crease in the sediment transport capacity The consequences of these interventions show the effects of interventions from the of the river. In addition, the Danube River on the river and the sediment regime are Upper Danube through to the Danube Del- lacks lateral self-forming processes due currently being investigated by the EU-fund- ta. Today, the Danube transports less than to river training measures such as bank

Longitudinal variation of mean annual suspended sediment load (1986-2016) vs. preHPP period GE AT SK/HU HU CR/RS RS RS/RO RO/BG RO

60 Inn Isar Jiu Tisa Enns Iskar Siret Rába Prut Traun Arges Drava Iantra Morava Ialomita

Great Morava Great 50

SS load (1986-2016)

Data Quality (Low) 40

Data Quality (Moderate) 30 Iron Gate 2 HPP Data Quality (High) Iron Gate 1 HPP íkovo HPP č

monitoring station Č unovo HPP Gab 20 SS load (preHPP)

10

0 Mean annual suspended sediment load [Mt] River km 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Suspended sediments along the Danube River: past and present (source: DanubeSediment deliverable“Analysis of Sediment Data collected along the Danube”)

10 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 11 protection, resulting in correspondingly ube. Overall, the data shows a strong dis- iment processes. “DanubeSediment not reduced morphodynamics in the non-im- balance of the sediment regime, resulting only analyses the processes and status, but pounded sections. As a consequence, in a severely disturbed system throughout also puts together measures that are capa- there are various forms of riverbed deg- the whole Danube River Basin. ble of improving the sediment balance and radation and a lack of instream structures related river management” says Florin Var- in the remaining free-flowing sections. Katarína Holubová from the Slovakian Wa- tolomei from the National Administration The restricted lateral erosion and lateral ter Research Institute, who coordinates "Romanian Waters", who is responsible branching also limits the sediment input the assessment of the sediment balance, for coordinating the collection of meas- from the side and riverbanks, thereby re- explains: “DanubeSediment provides an ures. Sustainable sediment management ducing the lateral exchange of sediments agreed sediment balance for the whole and the implementation of good practice (deposition and erosion). Danube River that is based on sediment measures in the Danube Basin can im-

Danube River channel width change: whole Danube 3500 Golubac Wetted width Danube channel 19th century Gabcikovo (reference conditions) 3000 Wetted width Danube channel (present state) 2500 River km 943 Djerdap I. 2000

Delta 1500

1000

500

0

Width [m] 2400 2200 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 River km Width of the Danube River: past and present (source: based on DanubeSediment deliverable “Long term-morphological development of the Danube in relation to the sediment balance” in prep.)

These combined factors are leading to an transport data, the comparison of the prove navigation conditions, reduce flood erosion of the riverbed of up to several historical and the present state of mor- risks, enhance ecological status and sus- centimetres per year in the free-flowing phology and dredging data.” Setting up tain hydropower production. “DanubeSed- sections. As a result, man-made structures a sediment balance helps to understand iment clearly shows that sediments are of such as bank protection measures are un- the functional behaviour of the river sys- serious importance for the future Danube dermined, putting their stability at risk. Ad- tem at various levels, which in turn allows River Basin and Flood Risk Management ditional consequences are that groundwa- for the assessment of the consequences Plans.” says Ivan Zavadsky, Executive Secre- ter levels are lowered, side arms become of human intervention. This is important tary of the ICPDR. disconnected, instream structures are lost because interruption of the sediment bal- and habitat quality deteriorates, affect- ance results in an increasing difference ing the ecological status of the river and between surplus and deficit of sediment, valuable floodplains. This affects coastal which leads to increased reservoir sedi- morphology, leading to increased coastal mentation, risk of flooding, problems for Prof. Helmut Habersack, is Head of the erosion of up to 20 to 25 m per year. In the navigation at bottlenecks and deteriora- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Danube Delta, the lack of sediments com- tion of the ecological status of the river. River Research at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) bined with the cutting-off of meanders, In order to develop sustainable sediment and is coordinator for the Stakeholder regulation and dredging are also leading to management for the Danube River, we Manual and Guidance documents within the erosion in the main branches of the Dan- need an improved understanding of sed- DanubeSediment Project.

10 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 11 HOW PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS CHANGING

ntil recent years, the options avail- of programmes; monitor and evaluate consultation with stakeholders takes place able to the public when it came to progress; and all without central manage- throughout the entire cycle of all ICPDR ac- Uparticipating in the management of ment. Key forms of participation, such as tivities, ranging from developing policies, their own waters was limited at best. Na- the dissemination of information, public to implementing measures and evaluating tional and local governments would often advocacy, public hearings and litigation, impacts. A legal framework for this is pro- authorise water development plans, infra- assist environmental decision-makers in vided by Article 14 of the EU Water Frame- structure projects, and the privatisation of identifying the concerns of the general work Directive along with Articles 9 and 10 water services without consulting the local public. A recent shift towards decentralis- of the EU Floods Directive. community. This sometimes undermined ing strategies also encourages the active livelihoods in local communities and led participation of organised groups, commu- Working to a six-year working cycle, we to both individuals and organisations in- nities, and citizens at a more local level. updated our plans for the Danube River creasingly demanding greater consultation Basin Management Plan (DRBM) and Dan- with more transparent and accountable UPDATING OUR ube Flood Risk Management Plan (DFRM) decision-making. The times, however, are PARTICIPATION PRACTICES in 2015. The update was accompanied by changing. So what does this mean for the ICPDR? new requirements for public consultation. One of our most important commitments Carried out in three main phases, we col- Increasing environmental awareness, a is to encourage public participation in all lected comments from the public during greater understanding of how it affects hu- our activities and decision-making -wher the update, asking them about the time- man health, plus the more direct contact ever possible - so it most definitely means table and work programme, as well as wa- of social media all mean that public par- good things for us! The increasing number ter and flood management issues. These ticipation in these processes is very much of ways in which the public can be reached public consultations each spanned periods on the rise. The public now, and rightful- is useful for broadening our methods and of at least six months, utilising the ICPDR ly so, very much expect the opportunity putting together a new plan for engaging network to gather and disseminate infor- to participate easily in the policy-making the public, exploiting rising awareness in mation. The resulting timetable and work processes that concern their environment. order to facilitate broader support for our programme was then published and made This is a vital shift, considering that envi- policies and greater efficiency in their -ef publicly accessible. Six years hence, it is ronmental policy and management only fective implementation. now time to replicate this exercise. succeed if key stakeholders feel engaged, and buy into the design of all the actions The ICPDR is committed to active public Our planned update to proceedings in 2021 concerned. participation in its decision making. The will follow on with this emboldened pro- commission believes that this facilitates gramme of public consultation, along with Today, a ‘bottom-up’ approach means that broader support for policies and leads to information and educational initiatives people can share information and respon- increased efficiency in the implementa- aimed at keeping our stakeholders and the sibilities; they can partake in the design tion of actions and programmes. Active public well-informed. These include the

12 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 13 © ICPDR

Danube Day - celebrating everything about subject-related communication chan- helping to normalise common discourse the river anually on 29th June - the publi- nels or consultation workshops. The earlier in the implementation process. cation of our in-house magazine, Danube use of ICPDR.org for publishing infor- Watch, three times a year and consultation mation about these issues is essential. GETTING INFORMED BY THE PUBLIC workshops such as Voice of the Danube. Just as important as us communicating Acting early is also important. By ensuring with the public, is the public communi- INFORMING THE PUBLIC buy-in and a sense of ownership in our cating with us. A key part of the ICPDR’s Communities can become more meaning- target audience at an early stage of the comunication strategies is always direct fully involved in the work of the ICPDR if process, any basin/sub-basin approach will consultation and enabling the public to they are well informed about its objectives stand a better chance of success. send us all of their comments and raise all and structure. Public information, educa- of their concerns regarding Danube River tional initiatives and outreach activities are The benefits of early engagement in the Basin management issues. This could be therefore already being utilised to support development and design of our two plans suggestions for new wording, raising ques- public participation, in addition to the more and projects include: tions, providing fresh scientific information general use of social media as a communica- - everything is of value. Major activities tion tool. The ICPDR is currently engaged in fewer misunderstandings, fewer delays tend to happen at six-monthly intervals. the following public participation activities: and more effective implementation For example, we are currently collecting and monitoring; comments on our draft timetable, work public information dissemination. This programme, and the statement of our includes social media posts, technical the resulting smoother running of a consultation measures. All comments will reports, public documents and general project can lead to more cost-effective be included in a revised version to be pub- publications (e.g. Danube Watch); solutions; lished in the autumn of 2019.

awareness-raising educational resourc- all later decisions are more likely to re- es, including environmental education. ceive public acceptance, commitment This includes a variety of proposed new and support. Attitudes to the deci- materials, awareness raising activities sion-making process will also be gener- Hélène Masliah-Gilkarov is the (e.g. the annual Danube Day festivities) ally improved; Technical Expert for Public Participation and Communication in the ICPDR and outreach; Secretariat, and the Executive Editor of increasing stakeholder awareness of Danube Watch public consultation activities. These the various issues in the related river Read online can be events such as Q&A sessions re- basin district and sub-basins before en- The schedule for the WFD and FD garding the development of river basin vironmental efforts become worse and public participation can be viewed at: management plans, and the opening of thus harder to resolve; http://icpdr.org/main/pp-2015

12 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 13

© Orbon Alija Reaching out to the people of the Danube the ICPDR launches its new social media channels

Facebook Twitter our image platform: our News Ticker:

Instagram our Visual storyteller:

© Pictures, bortonia © Pictures, echnical experts and members of media channels on Facebook, Twitter, -In making sure that information is dissemi- expert groups at the ICPDR are stagram, and YouTube on November 30th nated among all members of the internal T working tirelessly for the Danube 2018. We now invite all of you to be part of ICPDR family. Exchanging information, River Basin and its people. Now we want this process and to help us share with the discussing important themes and relaying to give every single resident of the Dan- world everything that makes the ICPDR so them to the outside world is also a vehi- ube Basin an opportunity to make their special. Each day you act as the keeper of cle for the promotion of our internal, mul- voices heard and get involved in restoring the Danube and it is time to tell your stories. ti-disciplinary communication as we strive and safeguarding the waters of the basin to strengthen our common interests. for future generations. Social Media is an Opening ourselves up to communication excellent tried and tested channel that is also means showing confidence in our The widespread use of social media is grow- perfect for such a challenge. competences and bringing our expertise ing at a phenomenal pace. Facebook alone to a broader public. These additional com- saw over 2.13 billion monthly active users The constant development of our commu- munication channels will contribute to worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2017. nication activities, under the lead ofthe strengthening our image and reputation, With their continued annual 14 percent in- dedicated Public Participation expert group building our credibility with an even wider crease in user activity, it is clear that social (PP EG), have allowed the ICPDR to position audience and persuading even more peo- media outlets represent an excellent op- itself and to present our work for the Dan- ple to support our mission. portunity and have become a must for or- ube in an increasingly visible manner. Now ganisations who wish to communicate with we would like to get to know our various With our social media channels, we are not their internal and external stakeholders. stakeholder groups even better. To achieve only engaging in dialogue and interaction this, the ICPDR officially launched its social with a wider public audience, we are also With the launch of this initiative, the ICPDR

14 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 15 Twitter:Where 255 Followers, Facebook: you 1,631 Followers,can Instagram: find 320 Followersus:

our news archive

professional platform:

social media communication network is 19 countries share the Danube River We have compelling stories to tell: and we seeking to expand its outreach, and better Basin trigger reactions integrate messages to current users by keep- more than 81 million people call the ing them informed of new developments Danube Basin their home AWARENESS "We know the ICPDR" and activities. For the ICPDR, the advantages we are working 24/7 for the Danube ENGAGEMENT "We want a cleaner, saf- of a social media presence network include: Basin and its people er, healthier Danube" COMMITMENT "We support the ICPDR" construction of sustainable networks The PP EG group is the driving force be- immediate and direct communication hind this initiative and is currently striv- demonstration of presence and activity ing to increase its outreach by carrying promoting participation and building out research to select appropriate plat- dialogue through mutual communica- forms that will reach all the people we The Public Participation Expert Group tion channels want to reach. We presently have sever- (PP EG) is the ICPDR expert group ded- transparency and creation of trust al methods of visualising information for icated to supporting ICPDR activities providing information in real-time our stakeholders. However, the PP EG’s related to communication and partic- making use of the dissemination mech- primary objective is to actively engage ipation issues. These include public consultation measures for the Danube anisms of social media platforms with stakeholders and involve them in River Basin Management and Flood Risk promotion of engagement ICPDR activities. Social media is an in- Management Plans, publications and valuable tool that can be used to in- outreach initiatives such as Danube Day The ICPDR has a great base for effective so- crease the PP EG’s reach to the broader and environmental education. cial media presence: public.

14 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 15 Stakeholders’ Forum – Improving performance through mutual respect and a common vision Towards sustainable solutions through long-term partnerships with stakeholders

© Plovput

he Stakeholders’ Forum is a con- ing consultancy firm, ACCIONA lngeniería ious institutions and organisations are cept established to ensure trans- S.A as service contractor, the consortium welcome to participate as Stakeholder Fo- T parency in project management Agromah Ltd, Regulacije Ltd and Kolubara rum members and observers. Most of the and is recognised throughout all the Dan- Ltd acting as the works contractor. The rules of the organisation and work of the ube riparian countries. In Serbia it was Project is 85% financed by EU funding Forum have been retained from the first originally incorporated into the project and is co-funded by the Republic of Ser- forum as a method of recording liaisons “Preparation of Documentation for River bia. The overall objective of this project is between the Forum results, along with the Training and Dredging Works on Critical to improve navigation conditions on the exchange and dissemination of opinions Sectors of the Danube River in Serbia”, a Danube River in accordance with the na- on the overall project development. 100% EU funded project implemented tional policy and strategy provisions. This during the period 2011-2014. is also in accordance with the Danube The basic principles on which the Forum Commission’s recommendations and the is established include voluntary, free mem- The successor to this project, “River Training EU transport system development plans bership, mutual acknowledgment and re- and Dredging Works on Critical Sectors on designed to ensure fast, safe, reliable and spect of the different standpoints of the the Danube River and Supervision and Envi- environmentally friendly transportation, other Forum members, and full transpar- ronmental Monitoring of River Training and the smooth flow of freight and mobility ency of the work being implemented. The Dredging Works on Critical Sectors on the of people. To achieve this ambitious objec- Stakeholders’ Forum is a multidisciplinary Danube River”, will ensure the continuity tive, dredging and river training measures body in which different interests are rep- of the Stakeholders’ Forum. It also aims to have been designed for six critical sectors resented, including water management, maintain the good practice measures from for navigation on the Danube River be- environmental and nature protection, the previous project and the long-term ori- tween Backa Palanka and Belgrade. This hydrotechnology, industry, archaeology, entation of the Directorate for Inland Wa- will involve the construction of three river fishing and poultry. Members of this advi- terways, as the End Recipient of the Project. structures and dredging at five critical nav- sory body include the ICPDR, the Institute igational sectors. for Nature Protection of Vojvodina, WWF, This project kicked off in 2017 with the Aqua et Archaeologia, the Bird Protection signing of two contracts between the Ser- The project promotes interconnectivity and Study Society of Serbia and the United bian government, the Spanish engineer- between different expert areas and - var Fishermen of Serbia. A number of observ-

16 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 17 ers also take part in Forum meetings, in- forum-zainteresovanih-strana), along rum meetings. The chairperson is also a cluding the relevant Serbian ministries and with other information. The website is link between Forum members and the other governmental institutions interested constantly updated in order to keep all consultants, thereby ensuring the proper in the project, international river com- stakeholders up to date with the newest flow of information between them. Fo- missions, waterway administrations from outputs of the project development and rum members have the right to raise spe- other Danube countries, as well as NGOs to ensure the transparency of completion cific questions, as well as to make recom- which are not members of the Forum. of objectives. mendations for further investigations and more detailed analysis of different issues All Forum documents are prepared and The chairperson for the Forum is a repre- that could emerge during the project’s distributed in both Serbian and English to sentative from Plovput, whose role is to implementation. reflect the wider importance of the work ensure that all Forum members receive of the Forum and are available on the equal treatment and is also responsible Two meetings were held during the period Plovputs’ website (www.plovput.gov.rs/ for all aspects of the organisation of Fo- of March to May 2018, whereby all Forum participants contributed to the ex- change of experiential and expert © Plovput opinions. Since most of them also dealt with the implementation of the preparation phase of this pro- ject, their involvement is of great significance in enabling the con- tinuous process of implementa- tion of a two-phased project.

It is hoped that the Forum’s role will increase as an interactive compo- nent and that its advisory role will unlock new perspectives for a num- ber of methodological measures that will hopefully improve supervi- sion and environmental monitoring procedures, as well as streamlining the implementation of compensa- tory measures, in accordance with defined procedures.

The possibility to see the project

© Plovput development at first hand will cer- tainly be the subject of upcoming meetings, with multilevel -partic ipation of both Forum members and observers resulting ina unified project for a unified river.

Milica Gacic, MSc., GIS administrator Directorate for Inland Waterways Plovput, Republic of Serbia Jasna Muskatirovic, PhD, Head of Department Directorate for Inland Waterways Plovput, Republic of Serbia Ivan Mitrovic, M.Sc., Head of Division Directorate for Inland Waterways Plovput, Republic of Serbia For more information about the Stakeholders’ Forum and Project progress, please visit Plovput’ official web site: www.plovput.gov.rs

16 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 17 The Joint Danube Survey

he findings of the three JDS surveys were also found to be a problem in this international Core Team of 20 scientists carried out so far have allowed gov- region. was responsible for sampling, sample pro- T ernments to make and implement cessing, on-board analyses and all other high-level decisions regarding environ- Specific heavy metal pollution hot-spots survey activities, with leading laboratories mental measures throughout the basin. were detected in the Rusenski Lom, the across Europe carrying out biological and The key objectives of the three expedi- Iskar and the Timok tributaries in Bulgar- chemical analyses. tions that have already taken place were: ia. Pollution from navigation, especially oil pollution, was also found, with high val- 77% of the sites sampled in 2013 were to collect data on parameters not ana- ues for petroleum hydrocarbons in sedi- classified as having good or high ecological lysed during standard ICPDR monitoring ments and suspended solids being found status, especially in most of the Upper and in stretches of the Middle Danube. Lower reaches of the Danube. Moderate to collect information about the water status was mostly recorded in the Middle and its organisms from single sources From 23 pesticides under investigation Danube. along the length of river so that data is only atrazine and desethylatrazine were readily comparable between countries found in the Danube. However, significant JDS3 reconfirmed that Danube plants and concentrations of harmful chemical pollut- animals show a high degree of biodiver- to raise awareness of the quality of the ants listed in the WFD List of Priority Sub- sity. This was especially so with fish, with Danube waters and the efforts required stances, were found in bottom sediments over 139,000 individual fish and 67 species to protect and restore them as well as in suspended solids. sampled. Nevertheless, due to pressures, such as hydropower, poaching and fishing, to fill the gaps in WFD implementation. JDS2 about 50% to 90% of the sites tested did The second survey was launched in mid-Au- not meet WFD ecological requirements for JDS1 gust, 2007 and saw 96 sites along the Dan- fish. Moreover, invasive alien species con- The first Joint Danube Survey (JDS1) was ube River and 28 on its major tributaries tinue to have a constant impact on native carried out by the ICPDR in 2001 and was sampled by the three JDS2 boats. JDS2 was wildlife, such as alien fish depleting the the most homogenous analysis of water the world's biggest ever river research ex- habitats of native Danube fish. quality and the ecological status of the pedition at the time and, as in 2001, the Danube River ever conducted. Over 140 main objective was to produce highly com- Once again, the survey provided the larg- chemical and biological parameters were parable and reliable information on water est volume of knowledge about the Dan- analysed and over 40,000 laboratory re- quality and pollution. After the expedition ube River Basin ever collected through a sults were generated. had ended, scientists throughout Europe single scientific exercise, and once again analysed water samples, sediment, plants, results confirmed that the waters of the Tests revealed that organic pollution on fish and other aquatic life. This led to a ‘Fi- Danube River Basin are progressively be- certain stretches of the river ranged from nal Scientific Report’ and a hands-on pub- coming healthier and safer for all. moderate to critical, with many sidearms lic document entitled ‘the Joint Danube and tributaries being more polluted than Survey 2: Research Expedition and -Con JDS4 – Discovering the Danube! the main stream. In certain stretches no clusions’. The final results showed that the One of the most comprehensive investiga- macro-invertebrates were found at all – a Danube and its tributaries were becoming tive surface-water monitoring projects un- clear indication of even higher organic or cleaner, but measures to reduce particular dertaken anywhere in the world is sched- toxic pollution. pressures on the river and its waters were uled to start this summer. still needed. Other tests carried out during JDS1 re- The key objective of this fourth survey will vealed particularly high levels of nutrient JDS3 be to gather vital data information on care- pollution in the Hungarian section of the The third survey took place in 2013 and fully selected water quality elements at river downstream from Budapest. Insuf- saw the JDS3 ships once again travel 2,375 sampling sites in 13 countries across the ficiently treated sewage and contamina- km downstream, through ten countries, whole of the length of the Danube River tion from farmland and pastures (manure) from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. An and its major tributaries. JDS4 will harmo-

18 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 19 The Joint Danube Survey (JDS) is an ICPDR initiative to help Danube governments implement the Danube River Protection Convention of 1994. It is also designed to help countries meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to ensure that rivers and lakes achieve ‘good chemical and ecological status’.

nise water monitoring practices through- is released from an organism into the out the Danube countries in accordance environment (in this case, the Danube) with the WFD, thereby committing mem- ber states to achieving good water status. Microplastics: results from studies on European rivers show that plastics are The outcomes of the JDS4 should cover the ubiquitous in freshwater systems. As information gaps deemed necessary for such data has not yet been gathered the 2021 update of the Danube River Basin for the Danube, it is expected that JDS4 Management Plan. The general added val- could produce an information baseline ues of JDS4 are as follows: on the occurrence of plastic particles for the whole Danube. an independent basin-wide platform for improving national surface water The past three Joint Danube Surveys have monitoring practices been based on the principle that a Core Team of leading experts carried out all practical joint testing and comparison sampling, including the analysis of all bio- of national methodologies for biolog- logical, microbiological and hydromorpho- ical and hydromorphological quality logical samples, while the national experts elements leading to their future har- joined the Core Team only when in their monisation own countries and then mainly only as observers who sometimes provided assis- an interactive platform for hands-on tance. training for the sampling and assess- ment of biological quality elements JDS4 will adopt a new approach. National authorities and individual countries will a homogenous source of data for a have a more active and autonomous role, number of quality elements (especially with most tasks being carried by national for emerging substances) for the whole experts. The Core Team will however con- of the Danube River Basin with knowl- tinue to play a coordinating and advisory edge transfer available to non-member role to ensure the coherence between the states. approaches used by the experts from indi- vidual countries. In addition, there will be a special mon- itoring team tasked with conducting ad- It is expected that this approach will lead hoc and less conventional technical tests. to the development of more flexible and Three particularly interesting aspects that effective processes, and most importantly require special monitoring include: to better results. This will also enable par- ticipating countries to adopt new, innova- effect-based methods/non-target tive and bespoke solutions. It is also hoped screening (chemistry): previous sur- that these combined efforts will foster co- veys have been excellent examples of ordination and improvement for the JDS, using effect-based analysis in combi- in particular with regard to sharing experi- nation with target chemical analysis to ences, exchanging ideas, and harmonising investigate overall contamination processes.

environmental DNA (eDNA) testing, which is a method to detect DNA that

18 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 19 An innovative project is being undertaken by the City of Vienna to increase the diversity of under- water plants in the Alte Donau (Old Danube), a recreational waterbody in Vienna that was once the main channel of the mighty Danube River.

In medieval times, the Old Danube was the sprawling main channel of the Danube. Centu- The new plants are individually planted on the floor of the lake by divers ries of regulation mean that it is no longer es- sential to the trade, transportation and prosper- ity of the city of Vienna. Long since cut off from ike many other waterbodies around and parks and is capable of manoeuvering the River Danube itself, the Old Danube has a the Danube in Vienna, the Old Dan- into difficult spaces to collect the cuttings new purpose as a recreational waterbody for L ube is dominated by one species of for removal. The milfoil is cut back in pop- the people of Vienna to relax in and around. underwater plant: the spiked water-mil- ular areas to a height of 2.5. meters below foil. If you have ever swam in or boated on the surface to prevents the plant from in- protective net will be removed in 2020 and the Old Danube in summer, you will proba- terfering with recreational activities. The it is hoped that the stonewort species will bly have come into contact with it. Spiked cuttings are then collected and turned into once again thrive and eventually cover a water-milfoil is a tall, fast-growing under- organic compost that is made available to substantially larger area of the lake bed in water plant with long, grass-like stems. the public at waste collection and recycling the Old Danube. centres around Vienna. Cutting back, rath- This plant grows to a substantial height er than removal, is preferred because the The proliferation of the stonewort species and, when left alone, will reach and cov- plant helps to balance nutrients and keep will provide several important benefits. er the surface of the water in the summer the waters of the Danube clean and oxy- First, ecological diversity generally makes months. This causes problems for swim- genated. an area more resistant to environmental mers, boaters and anyone else partaking pressures and changes. For example, if the in leisure or sports activities. Additionally, Controlling this somewhat troublesome water quality is altered and the lake or its this invasive species crowds out other spe- plant is expensive and requires substantial parts become inhospitable to spiked wa- cies of underwater plants by blocking sun- manpower and resources. For this reason, ter milfoil, the existence of other species light from reaching the lower depths of the the City of Vienna has started an initiative could be critical in ensuring the continu- waters. to reintroduce a less problematic spe- ation of necessary biological and ecolog- cies of plant to the Old Danube. In spring ical functions. Moreover, stoneworts are The City of Vienna, Department MA 45 - 2017, divers planted seven low-growing low growing plants that could provide the Water Management manages spiked wa- stonewort species of underwater plant on benefits of submerged plants without the ter-milfoil in and around the city by cut- a surface covering 2.5 hectare of the lake inconvenience of having to carry out ex- ting it back on a regular basis during the floor. Stoneworts are native to the Danube pensive and time-consuming management summer months, using boats specially region and were once the dominant plant and maintenance measures. designed for the purpose. These small, in the Old Danube. The bed is protected boats work on the same basis as the lawn- from grazing fish by a net, but the area can On Department MA 45's website at mower used to cut the grass in gardens still be used by swimmers and boaters. The www.gewaesser.wien.at

20 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 21 We recently spoke to Dr. Thomas Ofenböck, a specialist in limnology at the Municipal Department MA 45 - Water Management. He was project manager for the EU project LIFE+ Alte Donau, which was completed in 2018.

stage. It therefore became obvious the development of the plants. The results that larger areas needed to be plant- are extremely positive: the characeae have ed that were protected from fish. developed very well and are forming ex- The Old Danube © All fotos/City of Vienna MA 45 tensive cover on the lake bed. During the is popular for swimming, boating, Danube Watch: How did you first get course of the diving, small care measures and other recreational involved in the project? are also undertaken, such as the removal activities. The project of milfoil plants found to be growing be- is reintroducing I was involved in the planting pro- tween the characeen. alternative species ject as project manager of the of underwater plants native to it by planting five-year EU LIFE project for the Danube Watch: Are there plans to do them on the lake Old Danube, which has since been more? Are there plans to expand the pro- bed and providing completed. This project aimed to ject to other rivers or lakes? temporary protection improve the resilience of the Old that enable the plants Danube to the ever-increasing The planting measures in the Old Danube to thrive. The rapidly- growing millfoil covers pressures of usage and other stress are to be expanded. This is a waterbody the surface of the factors. Amongst other things, a with an area of 150 ha, yet so far only 2.5 water and therefore strategy to ensure the biodiversity ha have been planted. Even if the characeen needs to be cut back of aquatic vegetation and the pro- continue to spread independently through- regularly. motion of low-growing underwater out the lake, as is hoped, there is still much plants was developed in order to to do here. Concrete plans for planting reduce the need for the regular, stoneworts in other waterbodies belonging Danube Watch: Where did the long-term cutting back (mowing) of spike- to the City of Vienna do not currently exist. idea for the project come from? wort. The opportunity presented itself to create an area with characeae that was Danube Watch: Is there an aspect of the Before the problems with water quality large enough to withstand feeding pres- project you find particularly interesting? in the 1990s, various Characean species sures from fish. In 2017, a large area on dominated the underwater plant popula- the Lower Old Danube (near Strombucht) It was very interesting that the experi- tion in the Old Danube. However, as wa- was planted with low-growing Characean ments showed that certain fish species, ter quality deteriorated, the underwater species. especially rudd (Scardinius erythrophthal- plants almost completely disappeared, as mus), feed oncharaceae quite deliberate- did the characeae. Danube Watch: Where did the plants ly, a fact that we were previously unaware come from? Did you harvest them from of. This has also led to the need to keep When the water quality improved again af- elsewhere in the Danube? the stock of herbivorous fish species in the ter the remediation of the Old Danube, the planting area as low as possible. tall spikewort (Myriophyllum spicatum) The plants come from a rearing pond became particularly dominant, while the owned by a contractor for the City of Vi- Danube Watch: Are there important part- characeae practically disappeared. In the enna that already has a lot of experience ners that you would like to acknowledge or still cloudy water, the spikewort had the in this area. Only those species were used thank for helping? advantage of being able to grow closer to which had proved their worth in the run- the surface and thus to the light. up to the trial planting in the lake. This Special thanks go to the Austrian Fisheries company was also responsible for provid- Society, which supported the action as a The strong and rapid growth-rate of ing divers for planting the new species on fishing tenant of the Old Danube and high-growing species in the flat areas of the bed of the lake. actively supported the measures. the Old Danube was extremely detrimental Robert Ives, is a freelance journalist to recreational use, which is why attempts Danube Watch: Was the project moni- and translator who also works as a were soon made to plant low-growing tored throughout 2018 and what have lecturer at the University of Vienna. characea, otherwise known as stonewort. been the results? He is the editor of Danube Watch It turned out that although the characeae Eric Arbizo, is a practicing lawyer grow very well, they are quickly eaten by Yes, regular diving activities have taken in New York passionate about the fish while they are still in the small growth place to inspect the site and document Danube River.

20 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH 21 Danube Watch – Interview with Walter Binder

Walter Binder has devoted his life to enhancing the ecological status of In the interview series rivers and returning them to their natural states. A landscape planner "People of the Danube", Danube with more than 35 years’ experience, he worked on the first pioneering Watch presents personal river renaturation projects in the 1980s, developing a model for the portraits of individuals who creation of near-natural rivers that is still widely used today. We spoke to are passionate about the him recently and asked him about his life, his inspirations and his work Danube Basin and its waters. as an advocate for river restoration.

Danube Watch: Mr. Binder, how the ecological enhancement of rivers ob- would you describe your personal structed by man-made constructions. The relationship with the Danube and the Dan- focus was initially on the protection and ube catchment area and what is your fa- conservation of river sections that were vourite spot on the river? still largely near-natural. In the 1980s the first projects to restore developed river The Nibelungen Saga, the Danube sections were carried out, with the ob- ‘Schachteln’ (small boats with box-shaped jective of returning ecologically poor river cabins) with which the Swabians from Ulm sections and their floodplains to their for- travelled the river more than 200 years mer natural states. ago to settle on the Lower Danube, and also the stories of men in folding kayaks The model for such renaturation projects (‘Faltbootfahrern’) who journeyed down is to focus on river sections that are still the Danube to the Black Sea impressed by and large natural. This model was de- me when I was a child. Later in my ca- veloped by river morphologists, water bi- reer I got to know the Bavarian Danube ologists and conservationists and affords with its different tributaries in North and more freedom for waters to flow naturally South Bavaria better. The great variety of through the removal of embankments and landscapes in the catchment area of the the provision of more natural space. Danube and its inhabitants still fascinates © Thore Gauda me today. To visit them is always a special Such projects facilitate the development of Danube Watch: Can you tell us why your experience for me. natural waterbody structures and make an story (e.g. on the Isar in the Mühltal) has important contribution towards the rena- been so successful and why other countries My favourite places on the Bavarian Dan- turation of rivers and floodplains. They im- in the Danube catchment area should fol- ube are the floodplains between Neuburg prove the range of natural waterbody struc- low your example? and Ingolstadt, the Danube Gorge at the tures and habitats for animals and plants Weltenburg Monastery and the flood- and provide recreational areas for humans. The success of the renaturation pro- plains where the Isar flows into the Dan- They also support the requirements of the jects, not only in the urban areas of Mu- ube (and the neighbouring beer gardens European Water Framework Directive to nich, but also to the south of the city at of course), along with the historic cities achieve its objective of achieving good or the Mühltal power plant, had as their on the Danube such as Ulm, Regensburg very good status for waterbodies. guiding principle the restoration of the and Passau. river landscape by reinstating hydromor- In the beginning, the first task was to over- phological processes. Objectives were Danube Watch: What is your professional come resistance to such an approach on set to improve flood protection, eco- background? How did you come to become the part of hydraulic engineers, stakehold- logical conditions and recreational use. a specialist and advocate of river renatura- ers and the general public who were ini- The river sections with their extensive tion in Bavaria? tially unaware of such methods. However, gravel banks that have been renatural- the first projects met with broad approval ised there have given the Isar back its I have worked as a landscape planner for among the population and set the bench- alpine character and a certain sense of more than 35 years in Bavaria, working on mark for future projects. tranquility.

22 DANUBE WATCH DANUBE WATCH MF A decisive factor in the success of these of the renaturalised river landscape by in- many river sections and led to them be- river renaturation projects was both the forming visitors how they can prevent ad- coming ecologically impoverished. good water quality of the Isar and also the verse effects on the natural balance. trusting cooperation between experts and The aim must be to preserve and protect stakeholders from the fields of hydraulic Danube Watch: Finally: What advice can river landscapes that are still close to their engineering, hydropower, nature conser- you give us as people living alongside the natural state and, wherever possible, to vation and the environmental associations Danube? enhance obstructed and ecologically im- who have joined forces to form the Isar poverished river sections in order to coun- Alliance. In addition, the public was also Near-natural rivers with their floodplains teract the loss of habitats for animals and involved from an early stage. are the ecological backbone of our land- plants and to secure recreational areas for scapes. They are home to a large number the future. An essential prerequisite for Today, the restored river sections are - at of habitats for plants and animals and are this is to provide the river with a sufficient tractive recreational destinations that are of great importance for the conservation corridor to its floodplains, within visited by great numbers of visitors on of biodiversity. Hydraulic engineering pro- which it is free to run its course. warm days. This leads to pollution from jects such as flood protection and the con- rubbish and also to disturbance of sensi- struction of hydroelectric power plants, tive habitats, e.g. bird species breeding on the intensification of land use in the flood- the gravel banks. An attempt is therefore plains and the construction of settlements being made to preserve the attractiveness and traffic infrastructure have constricted

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ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Secretariat, Vienna International Center, D0412, P.O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria, Tel: +43/1/260 60-5738, Fax: +43/1/260 60-5895 e-mail: [email protected], www.icpdr.org