Hybrid model test Gail river widening - European Commission
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Maritime Forum

Hybrid model test Gail river widening

Short description of the action

To improve bed stability, river morphology, and consequently the ecology, the Gail River will be widened in several sections. The widening process should occur predominantly through natural dynamics, supported by initial measures only where absolutely necessary. Furthermore, the limitation of channel development through bank protection measures should only be implemented where the natural dynamics would exceed the available space. This approach aims to bring the morphology of the Gail closer to the reference state of a gravel river with dynamic bars and pools. Hybrid modeling will be used to determine how this development process can be secured and implemented as economically as possible. Additionally, the impacts of potential changes in
sediment balance due to climate change will be investigated. Some findings from this study will also be applicable to other rivers.
The hybrid modeling aims to answer the following questions:
How does the river’s natural dynamic development progress after removing bank protections, assuming average hydrology (river widening, development of bed levels and morphological shape, also in terms of river ecology)?
Are additional initial measures required to promote natural widening? If so, which measures are suitable?
Is there a maximum development width, or should migration of the river course be expected?
Which bank protection measures can limit channel development if necessary?
What influence does sediment input have on morphological development? (What is the impact of significantly reduced sediment input?)
While the objective model is limited to the Würmlach area, the second part of the hybrid modeling, the1D sediment transport model, covers a significantly larger section (from the Wetzmann power plant in Kötschach-Mauthen to Rattendorf or Watschig). This broader scope serves to better capture the sediment-related boundary conditions for the objective model experiment and to establish a basis for transferring the results to other sections of the Gail River.

Name of organisation
Bundesamt für Wasserwirtschaft
Type of organisation
National authority
Type of action proposed
Research and innovation
The action contributes to the following objective or enabler
Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
List of Partners

DonauConsult Ingenieurbüro GmbH;
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien - Institut für Wasserbau, Hydraulik und Fließgewässerforschung

Start date of the action
End date of the action
Budget allocated for the action
619000
Basin coverage
Danube River basin, including Black Sea
Email
martin.hasenhuendl@baw.at
Country
Austria