Danube Sediment Balance - Sustainable, Integrated Transnational Sediment Quantity and Quality Management in the Danube River Basin
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B DanubeDescription
Sediment related risk assessment method(EN)
HYMO assessment method(EN)
Sediment management measures for case studies(EN)
Sediment management solution(EN)
DRB Sediment Improvement Strategy(EN)
Integrated Danube Sediment Management Plan (ISMP) for the Danube River Basin(EN)
Danube Region Sediment Cooperation (DRSC)(EN)
Website: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/danubesediment-q2
Thematic information
Priority: (VI-B_D_2) Priority 2 - A greener, low- carbon Danube Region
Priority specific objective: RSO2.5. Promoting access to water and sustainable water management
Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility
Type of intervention: 064 Water management and water resource conservation (including river basin management, specific climate change adaptation measures, reuse, leakage reduction)
Partners (15)
Lead Partner: Universität für Bodenkultur Wien
Partner’s ID if not PIC: ATU16285008
Department: Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment / Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research
Address: Gregor-Mendel-Straße , 1180 Vienna, Austria
Department address: Muthgasse, 1190 Vienna, Austria
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://boku.ac.at
Total budget: EUR 566 814.90
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 453 451.92
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 113 362.98
- Český hydrometeorologický ústav
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Name: Český hydrometeorologický ústav
Department: Solid Matrices Monitoring Department
Partner’s ID if not PIC: CZ00020699
Address: Na šabatce , 143 06 Prague, Czech Republic
Department address: Kroftova, 616 67 Brno, Czech Republic
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: https://www.chmi.cz/
- Geološki zavod Slovenije
-
Name: Geološki zavod Slovenije
Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI23064145
Address: Dimičeva ulica, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Total budget: EUR 119 509.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 95 607.20
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 23 901.80
- Bálint Analitika Mérnöki Kutató és Szolgáltató Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság
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Name: Bálint Analitika Mérnöki Kutató és Szolgáltató Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság
Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU 12079999243
Address: Kondorfa , 1116 Budapest , Hungary
Legal status: public
Organisation type: SME
Website: http://www.balintanalitika.hu
Total budget: EUR 356 199.99
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 284 959.99
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 71 240.00
- Hrvatske vode
-
Name: Hrvatske vode
Department: Department of Development
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 28921383001
Address: Ulica grada Vukovara, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Department address: Ulica grada Vukovara, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: https://www.voda.hr/en
Total budget: EUR 80 000.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 64 000.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 16 000.00
- Országos Vízügyi Főigazgatóság
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Name: Országos Vízügyi Főigazgatóság
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 15796019-2-41
Address: Márvány , 1012 Budapest, Hungary
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Total budget: EUR 82 900.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 66 320.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 16 580.00
- Univerzitet u Sarajevu
-
Name: Univerzitet u Sarajevu
Department: Research and Development Center
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 200494560007
Address: Obala Kulina bana, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department address: Obala Kulina bana, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.unsa.ba
Total budget: EUR 99 450.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 79 560.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 19 890.00
- Institut za vodoprivredu "Jaroslav Černi" AD
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Name: Institut za vodoprivredu "Jaroslav Černi" AD
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 101968542
Address: Jaroslava Černog, 11226 Belgrade, Pinosava, Serbia
Legal status: private
Organisation type: SME
Website: https://www.jcerni.rs/
Total budget: EUR 204 017.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 163 213.60
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 40 803.40
- Institutul National de Hidrologie si Gospodarire a Apelor
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Name: Institutul National de Hidrologie si Gospodarire a Apelor
Department: Department of Hydrology
Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO24582488
Address: Bucuresti-Ploiesti , 013686 Bucharest, Romania
Department address: Bucuresti-Ploiesti , 013686 Bucharest, Romania
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: http://www.inhga.ro
Total budget: EUR 148 600.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 880.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 29 720.00
- Výskumný Ústav Vodného Hospodárstva
-
Name: Výskumný Ústav Vodného Hospodárstva
Department: Hydrology and hydraulics department
Partner’s ID if not PIC: SK2020798593
Address: Nabr. arm. gen. Svobodu , 812 49 Bratislava, Slovakia
Department address: Nabr. arm. gen. Svobodu , 812 49 Bratislava, Slovakia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: http://www.vuvh.sk
Total budget: EUR 186 480.40
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 149 184.32
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 37 296.08
- Inštitut za vode Republike Slovenije
-
Name: Inštitut za vode Republike Slovenije
Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI 97072842
Address: Einspielerjeva ulica , 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: http://www.izvrs.si/
Total budget: EUR 239 400.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 191 520.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 47 880.00
- Administratia Nationala Apele Romane
-
Name: Administratia Nationala Apele Romane
Partner’s ID if not PIC: RO24326056
Address: Ion Campineanu, 010031 Bucharest, Romania
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Total budget: EUR 217 732.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 174 185.60
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 43 546.40
- Изпълнителна агенция „Проучване и поддържане на р. Дунав“
-
Name: Изпълнителна агенция „Проучване и поддържане на р. Дунав“
Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.
Address: Slavyanska str., 7000 Ruse, Bulgaria
Legal status: public
Organisation type: National public authority
Website: http://www.appd-bg.org
Total budget: EUR 49 000.18
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 39 200.14
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 9 800.04
- Technische Universität München
-
Name: Technische Universität München
Department: Chair of Hydraulic Engineering
Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE811193231
Address: Arcisstrasse , 80333 Munich, Germany
Department address: Arcisstrasse , 80333 Munich, Germany
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.tum.de
Total budget: EUR 345 384.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 276 307.20
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 69 076.80
- Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem
-
Name: Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem
Department: Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU17783305
Address: Műegyetem rakpart , 1111 Budapest, Hungary
Department address: Műegyetem rakpart , 1111 Budapest, Hungary
Legal status: public
Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations
Website: http://www.bme.hu
Total budget: EUR 197 700.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 158 160.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 39 540.00
Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner
Summary
Project acronym: DanubeSediment_Q2
Project ID: DRP0200029
Project start date: 2024-01-01
Project end date: 2026-06-30
Project status: ongoing
Relevant linked projects:
- DanubeSediment (Danube Sediment Management - Restoration of the Sediment Balance in the Danube River, DTP, 2017-2019) (EN) | In the DanubeSediment project, data was collected on sediment transport (suspended load and bedload), grain sizes, erosion/sedimentation, hydromorphological changes. Furthermore, the key drivers and pressures for sediment alteration were identified. These data were compiled in a data base and displayed in GIS maps. This data base is available for the use in DanubeSediment_Q2. Furthermore, general sediment management measures were compiled in a Catalogue of Measures and described in the Sediment Manual for Stakeholder. Based on this collection of sediment management measures, possible solutions will be selected, based on criteria which have to be defined in DanubeSediment_Q2, for and tested at the study cases in DanubeSediment_Q2.
- A network of sediment-related stakeholders in the DRB was established, which was also provided to ICPDR, on which DanubeSediment_Q2 can build and expand to make the project and its results more known and to receive feedback to the projects work. (EN), SIMONA (Sediment-quality Information, Monitoring and Assessment System to support transnational cooperation for joint Danube Basin water management, DTP, 2018-2021) (EN) | The main objective of SIMONA, “providing support for the National and Regional Water Authorities to implement the monitoring surface water sediment quality required by WFD” has been achieved by delivering the SIMONA System comprised of the Sampling Protocol, the Laboratory Protocol, the Evaluation Protocol and the SIMONA-IT Tool. The SIMONA System was developed on 3 transnational Test Areas (Drava, Upper Tisa, South Danube), and tested and demonstrated on two National Baseline Points in each Danube Basin Country. Standard SIMONA Sediment Sampling kits were also delivered to the representative national authorities. DanubeSediment_Q2 benefits primarily from the SIMONA innovation and upgrade activity of the development and implementation of the passive sampling systems (JDS box, passive membranes, and electric probes) for the hazardous substances (metals, PAHs, pesticides) partitioning between suspended sediment and water phases monitoring in all 3 test areas, by adding the sediment quality monitoring component thus enabling the assessment of the temporally changing polluted sediment loads in the Danube Basin. The Evaluation Protocol will be utilized to the risk assessment of the measured sediment quality parameters. The established networks of trained field teams and sediment analytical labs serve the solid pillars for DanubeSediment_Q2 upgrades. (EN), SEDDON II (Sediment research and management at the Danube; Interreg AT-HU, 2016-2022) (EN) | In the recently finalized project SEDDON II, two suspended sediment monitoring stations were installed, one at the Danube River and one at the Raba River. This monitoring stations were equipped and are operated in accordance with the suspended sediment monitoring strategy harmonized in the project DanubeSediment and summarized in the Handbook on Good Practices in Sediment Monitoring. Furthermore, devices for bedload monitoring were purchased and enable the monitoring in accordance with this monitoring strategy. In the project DanubeSediment_Q2, monitoring will be performed at these new monitoring stations and by applying the new bedload monitoring devices. Thus, new data will be available to improve the suspended sediment balance and to close existing data gaps. (EN), DREAM SK-AT (Research and Management at the Danube in Slovakia and Austria, Interreg SK-AT, 2016-2022) (EN) | In DREAM SK-AT, two suspended sediment monitoring stations were installed, at the Danube River one upstream and one downstream of the HPP Gabcicovo. This monitoring stations were equipped and are operated in accordance with the suspended sediment monitoring strategy harmonized in the project DanubeSediment and summarized in the Handbook on Good Practices in Sediment Monitoring In the project DanubeSediment_Q2, monitoring will be performed at these new monitoring stations and the data will be available to improve the suspended sediment balance and to close existing data gaps. (EN), DanubeFloodplain (Reducing the flood risk through floodplain restoration along the Danube River and tributaries, DTP, 2018-2020) (EN) | The outcomes of the DanubeFloodplain project are very interesting for DanubeSediment_Q2 because in the regulated conditions are a sink for sediments not anymore eroded and thus showing aggradation leading to a modification of the hydrologic and hydraulic conditions. This directly influences a key parameter missing up to now in the sediment balance of the Danube River and tributaries. (EN), DANUBE4all (Restoration of the Danube River Basin for ecosystems and people from mountains to coast, Horizon Europe Mission, 2023-2027) (EN) | The current EU project DANUBE4all under the lead of BOKU aims to restore freshwater ecosystems in the Danube River Basin through the development of a comprehensive, scientifically-based and practically-orientated Restoration Action Plan (RAPDRB). The project seeks to address the lack of knowledge, awareness, and participation of local people and business actors in the implementation of freshwater ecosystem restoration. Within DanubeSediment_Q2, joint events and communication is planned to make the project DanubeSediment_Q2 known to a broader audience and to distribute project outputs and results. (EN), Danube Water Balance (to be submitted in the 1st call of the DRP) (EN) | In case both projects, Danube Water Balance and DanubeSediment_Q2, will get funded, online meetings, and meetings at ICPDR expert and task groups will be used for cross-fertilization of the two projects. Furthermore, joint communication will be used where appropriate. An overlap of 8 partners between the two projects will further guarantee an exchange of knowledge between the two projects. (EN), Danube Hazard m3c (Tackling hazardous substances pollution in the Danube River Basin by Measuring, Modelling-based Management and Capacity building, Interreg DRP, 2020-2023) (EN) | Danube Hazard m3c built on the three elements of water governance (measuring, modelling and management) complemented by capacity building. The inventory of concentrations of hazardous substances in the Danube River Basin was completed, in addition to the assessment of the main pollution sources and pathways. DanubeSediment_Q2 will use the generated pollutant inventory and assessment results in the evaluation of the monitored sediment quality and polluted sediment fluxes. Furthermore, integrated sediment quality and quantity monitoring contributes to closing the knowledge gaps in the monitoring of HS in sediments in order to support informed decision making on sediment management, under the conditions of climate change. Experts working in both projects will facilitate the operative transfer of information and experiences. (EN), Aquatic Plastic (EN) | Building on the results of the DTP project Tid(y)Up on the micro- and macroplastic pollution conditions in the rivers of the Danube Basin, Aquatic Plastic steps forward along multiple and harmonized lines of activities including the assessment of microplastics in the water column and biota, in addition to sediments. SIMONA established a cooperation relationship with Tid(y)Up already by sharing monitoring equipment and experience with the project, in addition to visits to their experimental microplastic lab and exchange of information. DanubeSediment_Q2 offers its sediment samples collected with the standard JDS4 passive sediment trap box and its sediment quality monitoring results to Aquatic Plastic for microplastic sampling, while receiving information on MIP contamination in the water column and biota. The mutual share of results, experience and contribution to communication events such as workshops and meetings are also planned. (EN), LIFE21-IPE-SK-LIFE Living Rivers (EN) | The strategic integrated LIFE Project is focused on Implementation of River basin management plan in Slovakia and one of the outputs will be 4 sediment monitoring stations on the Danube tributaries as part of the sediment monitoring network. (EN)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 893 187.47
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 314 549.97
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%
Co-financing sources:
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Deliverables:
- Report on sediment monitoring improvements
- Manual for sediment assessment in JDS
- Journal Publication
- Conference Participation
- Report on the combined assessment of sediment quantity and quality.
- Stakeholder workshops
- Draft HYMO assessment method
- Sediment risk assessment toolkit
- Report on sediment risk assessment in case studies
- Stakeholder workshop
- Compendium of categorized sediment management measures
- Multi Criteria (MCA) tool for assessment of sediment measures
- Summary on application of MCA tool in case study sites
- Stakeholder event
- Report on the calibrated and validated numerical and physical models applied for the measure tests.
- Documentation of the evaluation outcomes and comparison of the measures developed in 1.3 & 1.4
- D.2.4.1 Stakeholder involvement Plan
- Stakeholder event
- Concept paper of DRSC
- Characterization of the system and spatial scope and scales
- Kick-Off event
- Summary of the system analysis
- Set of suitable success indicators
- Management options and recommendations
- Plan of measures
- Protocols of workshops
- Documentation of study excursion
- Documentation of expert meetings
- Implementation Road Map
- Hand-out
- Final Event
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
- EUStrategyDanubeRegion DanubeSediment_Q2 contributes to the following PAs: PA1a Navigation: navigation bottle necks at the Danube are mainly given by not enough fairway depth at low water conditions (min. 2.5m). The output of our project will serve as a baseline information to manage the fairway with respect to implement sustainable sediment management measures avoiding to dredge and extract sediments out of the river, to improve regulation measures such as groins to not accelerate river bed erosion and allow river bank restoration where not negatively impacting fairway.
- PA4 water quality: is significantly influenced by sediment quality especially when it comes to fine sediments absorbing heavy metals and hazardous substances. The sediment quality data will form a backbone for future sediment quality assessments.
- PA 5 biodiversity: biodiversity depends on an adequate river morphodynamics, habitat dynamics and absence of toxic substances; e.g. without the right substrate spawning places will not exist. Thus, the implementation of DAnubeSediment_Q2 will lead to unique opportunity for improving the totally disturbed hydromorphology of the Danube and tributaries.
- Energy: reservoir sedimentation limits the hydropower production counteracting the needs for renewable energy. Measures suggested in the project will support the sediment continuity and reduce sedimentation.
- PA floods damages related to morphological changes like erosion thus suggested measure will improve this.
- EuropeanGreenDeal The following Policy areas of the WU green are positively affected by DanubeSediment Q2: preserving and restoring biodiversity need a sustainable management of sediments both sedimentation and erosion of river beds prohibit restoration and deteriorate the preservation. DanubeSediment Q2 will lay down a concrete action plan within the integrated sediment management plan in order to preserve (mainly focusing on the lower Danube) and restore (mainly focusing on the Upper and Middle Danube) the morphological conditions as prerequisites for ecosystems and biodiversity.
- A second PA positively affect by DanubeSediment_Q2 is zero pollution for a toxic free environment. The direct contribution of DanubeSediment_Q2 relates to the sediment quality being with fine material responsible for the transport of toxic elements. This includes a contribution to the European climate pact since for example biofilms growing on the river bed are positively influencing the CO2 balance. By securing hydropower protection sediment continuity restoration directly improves the supply of clean, affordable and secure energy.
- In the context of mobilizing research and fostering innovation the activation of education and training will be supported by sediment related knowledge basis support materials.
- TerritorialAgenda2030 The territorial priorities for Europe are positively supported concerning the future perspectives for all places and people. Being the most international river basin on a global scale and having about 1/5 of the European population in the basin DanubeSediment_Q2 will engage with local decision makers to strengthen the cooperation on long-term place based strategies and address sustainable functional links between neighboring countries and areas by the management of sediments. With the ISMP, we supply a new strategic document to promote co-development and involve citizen across borders. This integration beyond borders will intensify the dialogue with policy makers at all governance level to coordinate national sector policies between countries and to diminish existing obstacles of cooperation by having a commonly agreed sediment management plan.
- DanubeSedeiment_Q2 furthermore contributes to a healthy environment and better ecological livelihood. For this nature-based solutions will be developed concerning a better sediment management linking and improving ecosystems and protected areas. This includes an increase of resilience against floods and droughts impacted by climate change.
- DanubeSediment_Q2 contributes to strengthening awareness and empowering local and regional communities to protect, rehabilitate, utilize and re-utilize (build) environment and landscapes by sediment management measures to be implemented as well by spatial planning. Reduced sedimentation in hydropower plants will contribute to strong and sustainable local economies and a globalized world.
- Navigation as important trans-European network TEN, the Danube as corridor 7 is linking all Danube countries and beyond for which DanubeSediment_Q2 is delivering sediment management measures to sustainable manage this waterway.
- Other EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030
- Restoring freshwater ecosystems: DanubeSediment_Q2 directly contributes to restoring freshwater ecosystems where it is explicitly mentioned that this can be done by removing or adjusting barriers that prevent the passage of migrating fish and improving the flow of water and sediments. This contributes to the aim of restoring 25000 km of free-flowing rivers by 2030 through the removal of primarily obsolete barriers and the restoration of floodplains and wetlands. Especially by restoring the sediment continuity this includes large scale river and floodplain restoration investment defined in the ISMP that can and will provide a major economic boost for the restoration actors and for local socio-economic activities such as tourism and recreation. With sediment quality management measures a contribution to reducing pollution can be reached, knowing that especially suspended sediments are linked to nutrients, chemical pesticides, pharmaceuticals, hazardous chemicals and other waste including litter and plastics.
Programme Common Output Indicator:
-
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
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RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
-
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
Programme Common Result Indicator:
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RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
-
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:
Programme Result Indicator:
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ISI - Organisations with increased institutional capacity due to their participation in cooperation activities across the borders, Measurement unit: No. of organisations
Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR
Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project
Financing programme
2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Danube
Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme
2024-12-18
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
82 / 139 (58.99%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
910 / 1 542 (59.01%)
Notes on the data
Source of estimation of the number of projects as of 2025-03-17: Website of the programme
Method for estimating the number of partners as of 2025-03-17: Average partners per project based on the average of the previous period.