December 2022- After 7 months of construction, works on the pilot measure Styria are completed. On December 21, 2022 the official opening took place with local stakeholders and inhabitants.  

The measure in the municipality Mureck aims at counteracting the progressive deepening of the Mura riverbed and improving the biological diversity as well as the ecological functionality by restoring the flow dynamics of the Mura river. Therefore a 320 m long and 6 to 8 m wide side channel was built. Around 34,000 m³ excavated material was re-introduced into the river in the form of two gravel island. Two steep bank were created, which are important zoological habitats and now offer nesting opportunities for sand martins, the kingfisher or the bee eater. With the old secondary channel a new habitat for amphibians is now available. The expansion of the inlet area and the creation of a groyne ensures the dotation of the old as well as the new secondary channel. In case of a 30-year flood 120 m³/s will flow through the secondary channel and in case of a 100-year flood 130m³/s.

This is intended to reduce the water depths, the flow velocities and the shear stress compared to the current situation in the working area. In connection with the planned introduction of the excavated material, deposition are stimulated to a small extent and the progressive deepening of the Mur river bed is counteracted. Deterioration of the ecological status will be prevented by the creation of structuring measures and other ecological compensation measures.

The total costs of this measure amounting to € 233,980 are borne 85% by funds from the European Union (ERDF, IPA) and 15% by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management.