The embankments of the Inn in bloom are habitats for plant and animal species

The LIFE project Riverscape Lower Inn is creating species-rich meadows and dry grasslands of European importance along the German-Austrian border.

On the dams of the Braunau-Simbach, Ering-Frauenstein, Egglfing-Obernberg and Schärding-Neuhaus power stations, species-rich meadows and dry grasslands are being developed and maintained according to ecological criteria.

Habitats and species that were once typical of (dry) barren sand and gravel habitats are now restricted to secondary habitat sites such as the flood protection dams.

By reducing or removing trees and shrubs, the existing vegetation has been converted into grassland habitats. A number of measures was carried out in accordance with the management plans. Not all trees or shrubs were removed. Small groups of trees/shrubs were left on the meadow or newly planted to serve as retreats for insects and reptiles or as nesting and hunting structures for birds.

Initial mowing of existing grassland removes alien species or other dominant but unfavorable plant species and nutrients in the soil. According to the management plans, this was carried out in a mosaic of land parcels depending on the situation and conservation status of the habitat.

Braunau-Simbach

The Braunau-Simbach power plant is a run-of-river power plant on the Inn and located in the municipalities of Ranshofen (Upper Austria) and Kirchdorf am Inn (Bavaria). The power plant was built between 1951 and 1954.

The Kirchdorf embankment is located to the southeast of the town of Kirchdorf am Inn and extends upstream with a length of 4.7 km from the gravel store at Gstetten to the Inn power plant at Braunau-Simbach.

The embankment along the dam of the Braunau-Simbach power plant is 26 km long and has the potential for the development of high-quality, species-rich meadows for xerophilic vegetation and fauna.

Ering-Frauenstein

The Ering-Frauenstein power plant is a run-of-river power plant on the Inn and lies on the border between Austria and Germany. A pedestrian bridge connects the two countries. The power plant was put into operation in 1943, the embankment along the dam of the Ering-Frauenstein power plant is 18 km long.

Egglfing-Obernberg

The Egglfing-Obernberg power plant on the Inn lies on the border between Austria and Bavaria and was put into operation in 1944.

The embankment along the dam of the Egglfing-Obernberg power plant is 18 km long and has the potential for the development of high-quality, species-rich meadows for xerophilic vegetation and fauna.

Schärding-Neuhaus

The Schärding-Neuhaus power plant is a run-of-river power plant on the Inn and located in the municipalities of Schärding in Upper Austria and Neuhaus in Bavaria, the embankment along the dam of the Schärding-Neuhaus power plant extends over 26 km.

Further measures of the LIFE Riverscape Lower Inn project

Continuity and habitat

Power plants represents barriers to the migration of aquatic lifeforms. The aim at two power plants is to create not only continuity but also habitat.

Bypasses

Floodplains

Lost river structures should be recreated around a total of three power plants in the project area. The floodplains play a special role in this – as habitats for typical flora and fauna.

Floodplains

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