The Poneggenbach in the municipality of Schwertberg is more like a canal than a stream over large stretches. That should change in the coming months. As soon as the weather permits, work will begin on restoring the stream to a near-natural state. On the one hand, this measure is intended to create habitat for animals and plants and, on the other hand, to take flood protection into account.
Specifically, the stream will be widened by six meters so that the stream can form natural meanders. This also changes the flow speed, which offers spawning opportunities for the fish that live here. In addition to the ecological added value, the renaturation also focuses on the benefits for the population: a tree-lined walking path will lead from the town center to the fire station in Poneggen. “We are creating an additional local recreation area,” said Mayor Max Oberleitner when presenting the plans at the market town’s New Year’s reception. The local boss is proud of the negotiated financing plan: Thanks to extensive funding opportunities, only 50,000 euros of the 2.5 million in total costs remain with the Schwertberg community.
The Poneggenbach will not remain the only body of water that is to be renatured in sections. Similar projects can also be implemented on the Aist, as has already happened on the lower reaches of the Naarn. Such measures are being pushed by both the EU and the state of Upper Austria. Oberleitner is therefore hoping for similarly well-equipped funding sources as for the Poneggenbach project.
According to the municipality, the sediment trap installed on the Aist last year, which collects the sand and gravel carried away during heavy rain, has already proven successful. The measures implemented in cooperation with the Aist flood protection association and the Linz water district at the former dog training area would have caused the sand and gravel to settle here and not just at the weirs in the market center. Farmers can use the material to repair field paths.
Author
Bernhard Leitner
Local editor Mühlviertel
Bernhard Leitner
