Second phase of the dam construction work to start at the Rosenheim power plant to protect it from a thousand-year flood

Phase II of the work to raise and reinforce the impounding reservoirs at the Rosenheim power plant on the Inn River kicks off on 16th September 2025 with the goal of permanently protecting the plant from a thousand-year flood event (HQ1000).

The impounding reservoirs at the Rosenheim (Inn) power plant are being raised and reinforced to provide protection from a thousand-year flood. Spanning the existing dams on both sides of the Inn River, the project area extends approximately 3 km from the Rosenheim power plant to approximately 500 meters north of the bridge over the A8 federal highway. The flood protection work is divided into two phases, with construction taking place in the autumn and winter months of 2024/2025 and 2025/2026.

Phase I successfully completed

In Phase I, which was carried out during the last winter season, construction was completed along a stretch of over 3 km. Completed dam sections have already been replanted.

Phase II starting on 16th September 2025: footpaths and cycle paths rerouted

In the second construction phase, the dams will be raised and the waterside concrete seal reinforced from the Rosenheim power plant up to approximately 500 meters north of the bridge over the A8 highway. For safety reasons, the areas where work is being carried out must be closed off during construction; official permits and permits under traffic regulations have already been obtained. Similar to in Phase I of the construction, there will be signposts on site indicating rerouted footpaths and cycle paths along the dams. Paths on the dams will be off limits from 16th September 2025 until construction ends, scheduled for spring 2026.

Upgrade of habitats that have become rare

VERBUND maintains 200 kilometers of dams along the Inn River from Passau to Rosenheim and all the way to the border with Tyrol near Oberaudorf. The biodiverse meadows on the dams of the river provide a radiant ribbon of color through the predominantly agricultural landscape.

Once the flood protection has been improved, the dams at the Rosenheim power plant will also be redeveloped into premium habitats with flowery meadows, reptile structures and islands with shrubs and small trees through environmental measures and sustained upkeep.

All nature conservation and technical measures in connection with the dam upgrade will be carried out in consultation with and subject to approval by the competent authorities of the district administrative office and the regional water authority.