Improvement of the Drava-Mura confluence

Developments for surface water protection on protected areas of regional significance DDOP 5.1.5.A/2F scheme
The project is funded jointly by the European Union and the European Regional Development Fund. 

Introduction of the project:
The Drava-Mura confluence section used to be 900 meters upstream about 30-40 years ago, which is also shown by the 0 kilometer sign there. The erosive powers of the two rivers made it look like today which is very disadvantageous from a hydraulic point of view, because the free flow of water without damage is not possible. The critical situation is seen in the still powerful erosion forces: the two rivers have moved closer to each other to about 50 meters at 900-1100 meters above the confluence, and this bank can very easily be broken and washed away during a flood. This would mean that all the water of Drava will flow in the left-side bed, which, unfortunately cannot handle such amount of water, thus endangering the Barcs-Nagykanizsa railway line, the train station in Őrtilos, areas close to the river, and on the Croatian side, the settlement of Legrad and it’s flood protection infrastructure.

According to measurements, the distance between the two rivers in 2007 was 50 meters, and the degree of erosion in each year is about 8-10 meters. The branch above the confluence closer to the train tracks (it is the left branch, taking the water of Mura into Drava) was so eroded on the left side that shore protection was needed from the Hungarian side. The riverbed in this section of the rivers – if the two rivers come together – will not be able to take away the water without causing damage, resulting in danger to the train line and to the station in Őrtilos.

The Drava-Mura confluence section has been dealt with for almost 12 years, since Drava on this section belong to Hungarian-Croatian joint interest. There was a regulation plan designed then, which involved the management of the entire delta, including the rivers above and below the river mouth. The plans designed have been tested hydraulically and thus proved that the current confluence needs to be restored. The partners, taking into account the economic state, settled on a minimal necessary solution, which from the Hungarian part, the closure of the old riverbed.The designed solutions were accepted by the Permanent Hungarian-Croatian Water Management Committee.

The project and tender will proceed in two rounds, in which the developmental phase will take place between April 2008 and May 2009, and the implementation of the project will follow in the subsequent 1,5-2 years. The deadline for realization is December 2011. The total sum of the project is 638 million Forints.

The investment can be realized with the help of “Új Magyarország” Development Scheme and the South-Transdanubian Regional Operative Program. 

Beneficiary:
South-Transdanubian Environmental Protection and Water Management Directorate
7623 Pécs, Köztársaság tér 7.

Intermediate Body:
Dél-Dunántúli Regionális Fejlesztési Ügynökség
7621 Pécs, Mária u.3.
www.ddrft..hu

Managing Authority:
Nemzeti Fejlesztési Ügynökség  ROP IH
06 40 638 638
www.nfu.hu