01 / 04

Dr. Ulrich Schwarz

FLUVIUS — Floodplain Ecology & Catchment Management, Vienna · Feasibility Study Lead

Head of FLUVIUS, founded in 2005 and specialized in catchment management, hydromorphology, floodplain ecology, and nature conservation across the Danube basin.

Relevant experience — the Drava river, including the upper Drava

In 2007, conducted a pilot hydromorphological survey and mapping study of the Drava and Mura (IAD report, FLUVIUS).
Team member for hydromorphological mapping under the ICPDR Joint Danube Surveys (JDS) 2–5, 2007–2025.
In 2013, prepared a restoration potential assessment for WWF Austria in the UNESCO Transboundary Biosphere Reserve "Mura-Drava-Danube" (TBR MDD).
In 2017, authored "The Sava River Corridor: Status, Threats and Restoration Potential" for EuroNatur (the Sava White Paper).
In 2021, carried out a study for the WWF European Programme on dam removal potential to reconnect European rivers, followed by a study for Germany on ecological prioritization of dam removals, including presentation of selected candidates.
In 2021, mapped river-training structures within the TBR MDD under the Interreg LifelineMDD project.
Prepared a habitat map of the Drava under the "Drava LIFE Restore for MDD" project (2023).
Lead scientific author for "Save the Blue Heart of Europe" since the campaign's launch in 2013 — producing hydromorphological river surveys and a regularly updated hydropower dataset (last updated 2024) documenting the state of the Balkans' last wild rivers, forming the evidence base for the campaign's advocacy.

Role on the project

Feasibility Study Lead — responsible for the overall management and coordination of the feasibility study, including technical and environmental assessment and coordination of the expert team.

02 / 04

Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Ronald Pöppl

BOKU University, Vienna · Scientific Expert — Fluvial Geomorphology & Sediment Connectivity

Through the end of 2026: Senior Researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, BOKU University Vienna. Completed his habilitation in physical geography and river system research in March 2026; his research focuses on water and sediment connectivity across river catchments. From 2027 onward: Full Professor of "Applied Physical Geography" and Head of the Aueninstitut (Floodplain Institute) Neuburg-Ingolstadt (Eichstätt-Ingolstadt University, Germany).

Relevant experience

Contributed to the "DANube SEdiment Restoration" project (DANSER), focused on sustainable sediment management across the Danube basin (coordinator for the Upper Danube DEMO).
Deputy Chair of the Austrian National Committee's Scientific Board for the International Association for Danube Research (IAD).
Elected Chair of the Geomorphology (GM) Division at the European Geosciences Union (EGU).
Author of 120 scientific publications, cited 2,111 times.

Role on the project

Scientific Expert on fluvial geomorphology and sediment connectivity — contributes academic and research expertise on sediment dynamics and fluvial processes relevant to the technical feasibility assessment of river interventions (with a focus on geomorphological modeling).

03 / 04

DI Klaus Michor

REVITAL Integrative Naturraumplanung GmbH, Lienz · Water Management & River Restoration

Studied landscape ecology at BOKU University in Vienna and founded REVITAL in Lienz in 1989, one of the first integrative natural-space planning offices in western Austria.

Relevant experience — the upper Drava

Was one of the lead engineers on the EU-cofinanced "Life Upper Drava" restoration project, which completely reshaped the river's form.
The project removed embankments, bought out land to allow erosion, and installed groynes to steer the river's flow and encourage meandering — an approach not previously tried in Europe.
The goal was to restore natural river dynamics, allow bank erosion, regain new sediment, and reconnect the river to its floodplains and remaining forests.
The team used 18th- and 19th-century maps to identify former side channels, then reopened them with heavy machinery and reconnected them to the river.
The project involved extensive engagement with the local population, particularly farmers affected by the land redistribution.

Role on the project

Expert on water management and river restoration — drawing on direct field experience delivering one of Europe's largest natural river-restoration projects (the upper Drava), contributes practical engineering and implementation knowledge to the feasibility study.

04 / 04

DI Stephan Senfter

REVITAL Integrative Naturraumplanung GmbH, Lienz · Lead River Engineer

A hydraulic/river engineer trained at the University of Innsbruck and one of REVITAL's managing directors, responsible for hydraulic engineering and water management, he leads the river engineering and natural hazards division — river restoration, flood protection, hydraulic modeling, river morphology, sediment transport.

Relevant experience

Hands-on experience restoring Alpine rivers, including river continuity, planning and delivery of restoration works, and accounting for sediment dynamics in river engineering.
Experience in river restoration and river morphology, including large-scale measures to improve sediment balance, reduce channel incision, and improve ecological conditions along the Mura and Drava in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary.
Experience improving river connectivity and ecological conditions, including fish passages, sills, and structural improvements to river reaches, combined with training and international knowledge exchange.
Extensive experience in international cooperation and capacity-building on river restoration and integrated water management, including LIFE RESTORE FOR MDD activities in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary.

Role on the project

Lead River Engineer — responsible for construction-hydraulic aspects, hydraulics, sediment-transport-related questions, and river-morphological analyses and flood protection within the feasibility study, with in-depth knowledge of conditions in Alpine catchments.