Water protection areas in Spittal: Lake „Egelsee“ and River „Drau“

Lake „Egelsee“

Lake „Egelsee“

Lake „Egelsee“

Lake „Egelsee“

Characteristics:

• situated on a hill about 7 km from the city of Spittal, between the lake Millstätter See and the valley Drautal

• its name derives from the leeches which in the past were frequently in the lake

• in the middle of marshland, watercolour deep brown

• water protection area - rich fauna and flora (tree frog, toad, flower sundew)

• depth 10 metres

• temperature up to 27 degrees in august

• healthy water – curative effects in case of rheumatism, skin diseases

River „Drau“

River „Drau“

River „Drau“

River „Drau“

Extensions on the bank of River Drau

1999 2002

River „Drau“Characteristics:• tributary river of the Donau, in the south of Spittal• length 749 kilometres• biotopes with rich fauna and flora along the river• one of the most important riparian forests in Austria with beautiful gray alder trees in the west of Spittal (about 60 hectares)• about 130 bird species (kingfisher, oriole, woodpecker …)• abundance of fish • water regulation of the river after floodings in 1965 and 1966, river straighting • in 1985 conservationists prevent plans for artificial lake and hydro power station• today European nature reserve with many attractions (viewing platform, information boards, amphibian ponds ...) • rebuilding of the river Drau with river widings in the projekt „Natura 2000“• Flood protection measures for some villages in the east of Spittal

• www.life-drau.at