First construction phase
How Villach protects itself from flooding
Carinthia is being hit by storm disasters more and more frequently: several million euros are being invested in Villach to protect against flooding. The "Krone" visited the work at the Villach Technology Park, which is giving nature additional living space.
The clock is ticking: If the experts' calculations are anything to go by, the risk of a 100-year flood in Villach is increasing. The last time the Drau overflowed its banks was in the disaster years of 1965 and 1966, flooding parts of the city center. "If you look at the disasters that have occurred in Carinthia in recent years, there is always a risk of flooding in Villach," says Harald Sobe, Head of Building and City Councillor.
Local inspection
In accordance with the hazard zone plans, a mega-protection project was drawn up for the Drau, the Gail and the Ossiacher Seebach. The work is so extensive that it has been divided into three sections. The first construction phase was started a few weeks ago. Overall completion is planned for 2030.
An 800-metre-long dam and ecological compensation measures are currently being created at the tpv technology park. This will create a permanently flowing tributary of the Drau. "We had to divert the cycle path for the work. Once the work is complete, a new cycle path will run alongside the embankment," explains Gernot Enzinger from the Civil Engineering Department of the City of Villach. In the Prossowitscher-Au, compensation areas are being created over a length of around one kilometer. An existing wall and part of a cycle path will be raised near the Papyrus company and the University of Applied Sciences, and precautions will be taken for mobile flood protection.
Nature gets its space back
The construction measures will create near-natural riparian woodland, a new bank structure and shallow water zones for the optimal development of plant life. Around ten islands will be created in the Drau and Gail. The ecological areas that are being created here cover an area of around five hectares.
Further measures are being carried out at Seebach, Silbersee, Duel, St. Ulrich and in the area of Gailspitz-Straße (GAV). Among other things, dams and walls will be built, areas will be raised by filling and there will be controlled protection boards at the outflow of the Magdalener See. The latter prevent the Drau from flowing back to Lake Magdalen and regulate the lake water level during floods.
Million euro project
The protection project will protect up to 2000 people directly and 157 buildings indirectly from a 100-year flood. The federal government, the state of Carinthia, Verbund and the city of Villach are investing 7.6 million euros in the first section. The work in the technology park is due to be completed in August.
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