Havel Restoration
General Description
Some important tributaries belong to the Elbe-River-system. Their mouths were integrated in the biosphere reserve, because changes in the catchment area are extending far into the main river. The lowland of the “Untere Havel” is the most important inner wetland of Central Europe. Engineering river works and a reduced water supply in the catchment area caused serious environmental damages. As a result, many rare species who found a refuge here are threatened with extinction.
Excursion on the Havel Riber by Boat
(Photo: Ralf Schulte, NABU)
The NABU is responsible for managing this major conservation project. The area extends about 90 km along the river “Untere Havel” and covers about 19,000 hectares; the project volume is around 25 mio. €. Project objectives are the ecological improvement and dynamic development of the river Havel and its floodplains to ensure the full potential of its retention capacity. Furthermore the restauration of the area functions as an important link of the biotope network between the rivers Elbe and Oder.
The project is part of the European protected areas system Natura 2000 and the European Water Framework Directive. It takes into account requirements of flood prevention as well as regional development programs of the involved counties. Individual measures were agreed on with owners, operators and local authorities.
Bank Reinforcements have been taken away (right)
(Photo: Ralf Schulte, NABU)
Bank Reinforcements have been taken away (right)
(Photo: Ralf Schulte, NABU)
The project started in 2010 and was finished in 2012.