Managing risks from excessive rainfall in the Haibach watershed
In October 2019, the Interreg Project "Hillslope-AB162" commissioned a plan to protect the Haibach region from future flood waves. The Haibach, which drains an area of approximately 13.3 km², has been identified as a critical area due to the severe consequences of a heavy rainfall event in July 2019.
The proposed partnership involves the municipalities of Schardenberg and Freinberg, the city of Passau, and the regional engineering department of Upper Austria North, specifically the Austrian Wildbach and Avalanche Prevention (WLV). Cross-border cooperation among all affected parties is necessary for this initiative, as the Haibach flows into the Danube in the city of Passau, located in the Free State of Bavaria.
The goal is to prevent flash flooding caused by heavy rainfall and to divert flood waters away from larger water bodies. The planned protective measures in Freinberg and Schardenberg involve the removal of wildwood using wildwood racks and the construction of two flood retention basins.
The cost-benefit analysis by the WLV indicates a measurable benefit of 25.35% for the city of Passau from the proposed protective measures. As a result, the city will receive financial support from the Free State of Bavaria for the saved Haibach river maintenance costs. The cost-sharing arrangement for the project will be regulated based on the cost-benefit analysis.
The discussion and potential agreement are aimed at taking further concrete steps together to mitigate flash flooding in the Haibach catchment area. The Climate and Environment Committee will discuss flood mitigation measures in the Haibach catchment area on February 10, 2025, as part of the Interreg Project Hillslope.
The implementation of the smaller enabling measures and the water rights procedure are planned to start in 2025. The project aims to create a cross-border flood management concept in the Haibach catchment area, in collaboration with the WLV and the Water Management Authority (WWA) Deggendorf.
The initiative has great potential, and a corresponding agreement for implementation should now be initiated. By working together, the affected parties aim to ensure the safety and protection of the Haibach region from future flood events.
