400 times the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt – that is the amount of “slack” that must be removed to stop the progressive silting up of Lake Neusiedl, namely 55 million cubic meters. The work is in full swing.
The political mandate is clear: Seemanagement GmbH is going to extract 100,000 cubic meters from Lake Neusiedl every year. “In the test run we are already very close to the target. In full operation from 2023/24, the specified figure will be well exceeded,” says Managing Director Erich Gebhardt. The months between October and February are considered the time window for the work.
Work is in progress in Podersdorf. Mud is sucked off, reeds are cut. This is also the case in Breitenbrunn and Rust. In Freistadt there is an excavator in the canal along the Seestraße. What is striking is the spraying process, which literally makes the mud fly through the air. “This method is used when there is no settling tank nearby,” says an employee. The sludge is sprayed over a large surface area so that the increasing siltation is contained.
“The lake is like a giant bathtub. The water is pushed to the edge by the wind and can no longer flow back due to natural elevations, ie deposits. The reed then absorbs the water like a sponge,” explains Gebhardt. The hinterland, i.e. the riparian zone, must therefore be revived to ensure circulation. Incidentally, the discharged sludge is used to improve the soil in agriculture.
However, all current work on the lake primarily serves one purpose: the search for the best technology. As of October 1, 2023, the sea management must have its own machinery.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
