Vienna has successfully avoided the devastating floods that have hit other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, thanks to its large flood protection system along the Danube River. This system, in place for centuries, redirects the river and includes man-made channels like the Danube Canal and the Old Danube. The New Danube, a 21-kilometer flood channel, was completed in the 1980s and only receives water during flooding events, reducing water volume by up to 14,000 cubic meters per second.
Vienna’s flood control measures are designed to handle worst-case scenarios, with capacity based on historic flood data. However, the city also emphasizes the importance of preparedness in dealing with floods, as they are expected to become more frequent in the future. The success of Vienna’s flood protection system lies in a combination of large engineering projects and proactive planning.
For more information on how Vienna’s extensive flood defense system works, you can watch this video by Deutsche Welle.
By E.Dz.