Restoring the Fugnitz River as the lifeline for Thayatal National Park.
The Fugnitz River is the most important tributary of the Thaya River and is one of the natural treasures of the Thayatal National Park. The rivers flow through a largely undisturbed canyon landscape, which retains much of its natural character, with intact river morphology, riparian forests, and diverse aquatic habitats.
The Fugnitz River supports a rich variety of wildlife and is home to several flagship and strictly protected species. This makes it one of the most valuable freshwater ecosystems in this region. As one of the few near-natural rivers in the area, the Fugnitz River plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes within the National Park. Its exceptional condition, combined with its importance for the wider Thaya catchment, makes it a priority area for river conservation and restoration.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Dam removal: pre-demolition |
| Country | Austria |
| River | Fugnitz River & Fellingbach |
| Focal species | Salmo trutta, Cottus gobio, Lutra lutra, Triturus cristatus, Ciconia nigra, Felis silvestris |
| Organisation | WWF Austria |
| Website | wwf.at |
Although the Fugnitz River has largely retained its natural character, six artificial barriers interrupt its longitudinal connectivity. These structures fragment habitats, prevent fish and other aquatic species from moving freely, and reduce the river’s ecological resilience. At the same time, the ecological value of the Fugnitz River has increased because the Thaya River has been substantially altered by upstream hydropower development. Restoring connectivity therefore represents a significant opportunity to strengthen one of the National Park’s most important rivers for biodiversity.
The project builds on an established partnership between the National Park, the municipality of Hardegg, landowners, fisheries representatives, NGOs, scientists, and public authorities. By completing all necessary preparations for the barrier removal, it will create the foundation for implementation and support the long-term vision of restoring the Fugnitz River as a free-flowing river.
The Connecting Canyons project aims to restore ecological connectivity by preparing the removal of six dams, reconnecting 24 km of the Fugnitz River and Fellingbach River system. This will re-establish natural river processes, restore longitudinal connectivity and improve the ecological integrity of the entire region.
The project will enhance fish migration, sediment transport, habitat diversity, and natural flow conditions, benefiting aquatic species, amphibians, invertebrates, and riparian vegetation while strengthening the role of the Fugnitz River as a key refuge and spawning habitat.
Expected outcomes include the development of the Fugnitz River into a free-flowing river, improved ecosystem resilience, and measurable biodiversity gains. Through an extensive co-creation process involving local communities, authorities, and landowners, the project team also establishes a replicable, stakeholder-driven model for coordinated barrier removal and integrated river restoration that can be applied in protected river systems across Austria and the European Union.
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