Open-air Laboratory

Austria

This Open-Air Laboratory is located in the lower Watten valley (Tyrol, Austria), specifically in the area of the slope of Vögerlsberg. This slope has a continuously moving part that can cause landslides.

Landslide at lower Watten Valley

The OAL-Austria is located south of the town of Wattens in Tyrol (Austria). It is characterized by a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (DSGSD), which has recently shown active movement in the order of 4cm/a. The landslide continuously threatens several buildings, infrastructure, and managed forests and farm land. These elements at risk are situated on top of the active landslide, bearing the impacts of the continuous movement. Furthermore, if the foot slope of the landslide collapses (again), it could dam up the Watten river and may cause severe damage in the town of Wattens.

Motivation for choice according to hazard exposure and asset value

  Gravitational landslide
  Deep-seated gravitational slope deformation active in the past decades
  Houses, infrastructure and farm land
  Mitigation measures have not been effective

Possible nature-based and hybrid solutions

  Reduction of surface runoff by drainages
  Controlled discharge of near surface interflow using fascines
  Snow fences for controlled accumulation of snow and melt water drainage

For more information you can visit the interactive page with elaborated details and solutions for OAL-Austria.

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Hazards

Across the world, we are facing challenges like disaster risk everyday. Some of us are living in areas where disasters are very likely. Which challenges are you facing in your area? Flood, landslides, coastal erosion, drought, something else?

Flooding

The fear of flooding is a major perceived risk. Floods affect many areas, such as agriculture, infrastructure, local businesses as well as the tourism sector. To deal with the risk of flooding, OPERANDUM has implemented multiple Nature-based Solutions.

Landslides

Landslides

Landslides are caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope and defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth. To deal with the risk of landsliding, OPERANDUM has implemented multiple Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Contact

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