Lack of water, drought, silting – the future of Lake Neusiedler See gives tourism a headache. The highly sensitive ecosystem must be safeguarded in the long term. As a first measure, workers in the Rust Bay are removing excess mud.
The silting of Lake Neusiedler See is progressing unstoppably. More and more mud is accumulating. “A total of 55 million cubic meters is ready for extraction,” experts estimate. Wild growth is also getting out of hand. Of the almost 320 square kilometers of lake surface, 180 square kilometers is already covered with reeds, so more than half. In addition, drought and low rainfall are particularly hard on the lake and the water level drops dramatically.
Care for natural gemstone
Concern for this unique natural gem is growing in the lakeside communities. In Rust, the problem of silting has been closely monitored for a long time. Where there is now a hotel, there used to be a lido. This season, sailors and boat owners are complaining that the draft is far too shallow. Now the Free City is taking the initiative.
Working in the Bay
As a pilot project, a lot of sludge is pumped out at the harbor entrance of Rust Bay and the top edge of the sludge is lowered. Preparations have been in full swing for days. The heavy work equipment needed is already in position. Hoses are available over a length of 2.5 kilometers.
“Eternal Project”
The rescue of the Neusiedler See is considered a “project of the century”. The state of Burgenland will carry out extensive plans next autumn. Then the newly founded Seemanagement GmbH starts the large-scale work to manage the reed belt and remove the mud from the coves in the neighboring communities.
“The pilot project in Rust is about gaining first experiences”, explains State Councilor Heinrich Dorner (SPÖ). More details about the project, which is so important for tourism, will follow shortly.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
