Numerous ecological equalisation measures were implemented in the high mountains during the construction of Reißeck 2. Some of them are listed here:
“Naturidente” greening in the high mountains
The combination of alpine plant seeds, “geotextiles” and the careful use of available natural materials are now enabling the “healing” of landscape wounds, including in the alpine region. At the landfill site at Schoberboden, this was done with the highest quality at an extreme elevation and on a scale never seen before. The first measure, for example, involved salvaging vegetation and topsoil and taking it to the valley for temporary storage. After depositing the excavated material from the tunnel (a total of approx. 260,000 m3!), layers of soil and vegetation were taken back and placed expertly on the surface of the spoil. Slow-release fertiliser and special high-elevation seeds were placed in the gaps between the pieces of turf. Topsoil, turf, seeds and fertiliser were fixed in place with coconut matting. In addition to the germination of the seeds, the plants also spread out again from the turf, so that a completely natural plant cover is created in a few years. The design is optimised by a terrain formation adapted to nature as well as the introduction of rock fills and scrawny trees.
Marmots as ingenious master tunnellers
A family of marmots had to be rounded up and released again elsewhere. Artificial structures were created for their resettlement after the dredging work and were quickly occupied. The land restoration measures, unique to the elevation, provide important nutrition for the animals.
New themed trail
In the final months of the construction work, a three kilometre-long themed trail “Hydropower-Nature-Fishing” was constructed from Mühldorf to the western end of the Rottau equalisation reservoir. Eight information boards with high-quality photographs and supplemental explanations make reference to valuable habitats, the fishing and to clean electricity generation with domestic hydropower.
