Leak in the Zoggler reservoir: fish resettlement after massive water loss!

Leak in the Zoggler reservoir: fish resettlement after massive water loss!

The Zoggler reservoir in South Tyrol is currently causing a lot of excitement. A leak below the dam wall poses massive challenges. According to Alperia, the operator of the reservoir, around 20 million cubic meters of water have flowed out since May 13th. That's equivalent to about 8,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools and two-thirds of the lake's total storage volume. The water level has dropped by over 21 meters, which has consequences not only for the operators but also for the environment. The environmental authorities are particularly concerned about the fish population in the Zoggler and in the mountain river Fehlauer, into which the water is drained.

In order to get the situation under control, those responsible have developed a protection concept together with the state authorities and the local fishing association. Three pools will be created at the back of the lake to create a suitable habitat for the fish during the repair work. The relocation of the fish is firmly planned for the near future. In addition, a temporary protective wall will be built in the lake bed in order to reach the difficult-to-access defective chamber below the dam and inspect the damage site.

The challenges of flood protection

The problems associated with leaks in reservoirs are not unique to Zoggler Reservoir. A reservoir was also built in Poland to reduce the risk of flooding. In Nieboczowy, Mayor Czesław Burek wanted to minimize the flood threat in the Odra Valley after the region's worst floods in 1997, which affected tens of thousands of people. To avoid permanent flooding, the Racibórz Dolny reservoir was built, which also houses the new village of Nowe Nieboczowy.

In recent years, the Polish government has launched ambitious flood protection projects that not only benefit local residents, but also help regional ecosystems. These measures include, among other things, the deepening and widening of the Odra, the construction of new dykes and the diversion of river courses. With support from the EU, efforts are being made to create comprehensive solutions for climate adaptation and flood safety.

A look into the future

The developments at the Zoggler reservoir and similar projects in Europe show how important it is to proactively address natural disasters. The fishing measures in South Tyrol and the flood protection projects in Poland are a sign that people are not only thinking about the immediate challenges, but also about the sustainable security of the affected regions and their residents. While the inspection work in the Zoggler reservoir continues, it remains to be hoped that the measures will soon have an effect and the water can quickly return to its original state.