Located on the border between Austria and Hungary, Lake Neusiedl is a UNESCO World Heritage site rich in history and biodiversity. Spanning 315 km2 with an average depth of one meter, it supports local communities as both an ecological and recreational hub. Yet sediment build-up and excess eutrophication due to nutrient overload threaten its delicate ecosystems and recreational use. The local municipal government came up with an innovative solution. They established Seemanagement Burgenland GmbH, a dedicated organization committed solely to preserving Lake Neusiedl’s health and vitality through systematic care and maintenance.
History, ecology, and recreation
Lake Neusiedl, located in Burgenland — a federal state of Austria — has been a meeting place for different cultures for thousands of years. Today, it serves as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, supported by its extensive reed beds that provide shelter to numerous species. The lake is also a popular destination for outdoor activities such as sailing, fishing, and bird watching. Sustaining this natural treasure needs more than admiration, however. Effectively managing sediment build-up and eutrophication at the lake requires ongoing and proactive maintenance.
Seemanagement Burgenland GmbH
In 2022, the Burgenland government established Seemanagement Burgenland GmbH to shift from occasional restoration action to a systematic management with a dedicated organization. The lake’s unique geography and protected status required Seemanagement to find smart water restoration and maintenance equipment, that is both effective and environmentally sensitive.
Watermaster a perfect fit
Knowing the Watermaster amphibious eco-dredger was ideal for shallow waters, the Seemanagement team acquired two units of the most powerful Classic V model and a Watermaster booster pump from Wellink GmbH, the local reseller. Multipurpose Watermaster’s heavy-duty work attachments enable Seemanagement to do various tasks such as suction dredging, excavating, clearing vegetation by raking, and pile driving with a single machine. This versatility reduces the need for several single-purpose machines and assisting equipment, lowering operational costs, increasing efficiency, and minimizing the overall operational footprint.
Watermaster’s amphibious mobility allows Seemanagement to work in very shallow waters, essential for a lake with an average depth of only 1 meter. Additionally, Watermaster operates independently and very precisely, ensuring minimal disruption to the lake’s ecosystems and aquatic life.
First Season of Maintenance
From October 2023 to mid-April 2024, Seemanagement completed their first maintenance season:
- They successfully dredged 60,000 m³of soft sediment from boat paths and marinas, enhancing navigability, and supporting recreational activities.
- They also reinforced reed channels and created firebreaks in coordination with the local fire department.
This was crucial for protecting wildlife and surrounding areas from potential fire hazards that can spread quickly in the dry reed beds during the summer time.
Lake Neusiedl is only 1 meter deep on average, so Watermaster’s amphibious mobility is essential
During the first season of maintenance over 60,000 m³ of soft sedimetn was dredged out
Watermasters also reinforced reed channels to help stabilize shorelines and enhance wildlife habitats
Watermaster brings advantages for:
- Enhancing Navigation and Recreation Watermaster is effective in deepening and maintaining boat paths and marinas. Watermaster’s operation without wire cables or extra anchors prevents obstruction of boat traffic, allowing Seemanagement to work efficiently in confined spaces while minimizing disruption to recreational activities.
- Improving Aquatic Habitats Seemanagement used their Watermasters to carefully remove both nutrientrich sediment by dredging and excess vegetation by raking, which helps prevent eutrophication. Additionally, they used Watermasters’ excavating capability to stabilize shorelines and enhance habitats for wildlife.
With one Watermaster they can take care of all of the above and many other maintenance tasks that can come up later on.
Seemanagement Burgenland leads innovative lake management efforts
Heinrich Dorner, Thomas Schmid, and Erich Gebhardt by a Watermaster dredger at Lake Neusiedl. Their efforts at Seemanagement Burgenland GmbH set an example for sustainable management of public water bodies worldwide.
Future plans
Seemanagement Burgenland GmbH is preparing for the 2024/25 maintenance season, coordinating with local communities and stakeholders. During the summer, the dredged nutrient-rich sediment will be beneficially reused to enhance the agricultural land around the lake.
Conclusion
Seemanagement has improved maintenance at Lake Neusiedl by shifting from occasional efforts to a consistent, organized approach. It uses state-of-the-art Watermaster eco-dredgers and other equipment to preserve the lake’s environment in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.
Seemanagement’s example shows how a systematic approach, implemented by a dedicated organization using efficient technology and sustainable methods, can enhance the care of water bodies both in Austria and globally.