New hydraulic engineering laboratory, English Page of the Federal Agency for Water Management

Symbol for relocation (City of Vienna with coat of arms), arrow direction from the 9th to the 20th district

Due to the limited working possibilities and the aging infrastructure at our location in Severingasse in the 9th district of Vienna, which has been in existence since 1913, there have been efforts to move to a new building for a long time. At the same time there were considerations concerning university cooperation’s in order to use the infrastructure necessary for hydraulic engineering model tests more efficiently.

In 2012 a cooperation agreement was signed between the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU) and our ministry (then Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management). One of the contents of this cooperation agreement was the establishment of a new hydraulic engineering laboratory, which is to be used jointly. Already at that time, the location was the Brigittenauer Sporn in Vienna's 20th district, where the Danube Canal branches off the Danube. Several years passed until the financing was clarified and the planning was completed.

The total cost of around 49 million euros is borne by the European Regional Development Fund (via four EU projects with Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as well as via the Investment in Growth and Employment Austria program), the City of Vienna and the Province of Lower Austria as well as four federal ministries (Education, Science and Research; Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism; Transport, Innovation and Technology; Digitization and Economy).

A new hydraulic engineering laboratory offers BOKU and our institute worldwide unique working possibilities to solve scientific and practical questions concerning flood protection, river morphology, sediment transport, hydropower and waterways.

The central core of the new infrastructure are two experimental halls with a total of approx. 3500 square meters of experimental space.

In February 2023 the time had come. We moved our offices, workshop, measurement technology and a lot of other material for conducting model tests from Severingasse 7 to the new building at Am Brigittenauer Sporn 3.

Step by step, a number of pictures will be posted here to document the construction progress. The latest ones are right at the top.

More information about our history, Austrian Hydrographic Service and Calibration of Hydrometrical Current-Meters can be found at the bottom of this page under "Additional Information".

The picture shows the weir on the front side, on the right the fish ladder. The photo was taken on 30 August 2023, after a flood alert had been issued in western Austria in the preceding days due to storms coming from Italy. You can see very turbid water on the Danube Canal. Two segmental weirs are lowered to limit the flow and to collect the debris, mainly wood, from the water surface. On the left the motorway bridge and behind it the Nußdorf railway station. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View from the building in the direction of the weir; photo taken on August 30 2023, after the floods in western Austria reached Vienna via the Danube.

The screenshot shows the new building in grey on a map. The Danube Canal runs on the left, the actual Danube a little further away on the right, with the lock for ships between the Danube and the Danube Canal clearly visible. Green areas show areas with meadow, trees and bushes. Grey lines mark railway lines.

Map view of the area around the hydraulic engineering laboratory, with the new building standing out as a large area with gray and red shading. The hatches were traced by hand.

The picture shows the Danube Canal in the foreground and the building of the hydraulic engineering laboratory on the other bank. A boathouse floats in the Danube Canal and is attached to the land with thick steel pipes. A railway bridge runs in front of the hydraulic engineering laboratory. On the right are two large trees in front of the railway bridge. If you look further to the right of the picture, you can see a chimney with grooves; this is where the ship lock between the Danube and the Danube Canal is located. On the left side of the Danube Canal you can see a shadow, this comes from a road bridge running along the Danube Canal. On the far left are some bushes. The picture was taken in sunny and cloudless weather. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View from the south, diagonally across the Danube Canal at the building towards the end of August 2023.

The picture was taken from an oblique position, at a viewpoint near the Danube. There are some tall trees on a meadow in front of the parallel to the road erected building. There are two football goals in the meadow, but without nets. Behind is a fence with access to the canal, through which Danube water can be channelled into experimental facilities in the building. The facade of the building is divided into vertical stripes (dark grey and white). In the dark vertical stripes are windows of the office and laboratory rooms. Three white poles on the roof are lightning rods. The picture was taken in the early, sunny morning. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Image taken in mid-June 2023 from the Danube side

Picture taken in June 2023 of a sign (to the left of the side entrance)

The picture shows the side entrance with intercom in case the main entrance is closed. The main entrance is further to the right, outside the photo. To the left of the entrance is a sign for the hydraulic engineering laboratory. The text is described in the following picture. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Picture taken in June 2023 in front of the side entrance (further to the right the actual main entrance, is not quite visible on the picture)

Picture taken in June 2023 in front of the main entrance.

Direct view from the first floor of the main building to the Danube running parallel. A large cruise ship is sailing upstream (to the left). In front of it are some trees and partly green meadow. A large area is not yet covered with grass, as construction containers stood here for a long time, which were only removed a few days ago. Furthermore, a small road is visible, but only for emergency vehicles, for walking and cycling. On the left is a barrier that blocks the way. Beyond the cruise ship, on the other bank of the Danube, a wooded area can be seen on the Danube Island. The picture was taken in rainy weather and cloudy skies. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Picture taken in mid-April 2023 from the main building looking towards the Danube during rainy weather in the early morning.

Oblique view from the main building on the right. Visible is the Nussdorf weir, behind it the Schemerl bridge. Running obliquely to the left are the highways stilts, behind them are some residential buildings from the nineteenth district and further back the Kahlenberg. Right in front the fish ladder, our visitor parking lots, and just behind it the building belonging to viadonau. Further behind, the building of the Vienna Waters (Magistrate's Department 45), currently scaffolded for renovation. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Oblique right image, taken in before mid-April 2023, from the main building looking towards the Danube Canal and Nussdorf weir, freeway stilts running along the left, the two buildings of viadonau and Wiener Gewaesser, translated into Viennese waters, on the right in somewhat sunny and cloudy weather.

Oblique view from the main building to the left. On the Danube Canal, two jetties are attached to the land, one before and one after the railroad bridge. Behind it, running diagonally, the highway bridge and some visible residential buildings. Almost to the far left at the back, one recognizes the General Hospital. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Photo taken from the west side of the main building with a view of the Danube Canal and the OeBB railway bridge, behind them the motorway stilts in somewhat sunny and cloudy weather before mid-April 2023.

Oblique aerial view of the building taken in mid-March 2023, overlooking the Danube Canal. Both side walls in front also have corresponding BOKU logos on them. Photographed early in the morning at sunrise at about 12 degrees.

Picture of the building taken in mid-November 2022 across the Danube Canal.
In the meantime, the logo "BOKU" and the inscription "Wasserbaulabor" above and "River Lab" below can be seen on the building at the top left. Both side walls on the left and right also have logos on them respectively, but not visible here. Sunny, cold and cloudless weather at about 4 degrees Celsius.

The image taken from a satellite shows the object, which is labeled "BOKU Wasserbaulabor", during the construction phase in early 2022. In the meantime, the building can be clearly seen from above. On the left side of the object, you can see the Danube Canal with the hydroelectric power plant Nußdorf, on the right side the Danube. — © google maps

Satellite image of the object during the construction phase in early 2022. The photo from google.maps can be seen only since October 2022.
"BOKU Wasserbaulabor" means from German “University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences hydraulic engineering laboratory”.

A view from the rear side of the building, where there will be some parking spaces in the future, including access for trucks to the building. All areas are still unpaved. On the right is the access road to the test hall, currently still without a gate. Left on photo in front of the building a small excavator, further left the railroad bridge, behind it the highway. The photo was taken in sunny and warm weather. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Exterior photo taken at the end of August 2022. South facade with delivery.

Straight view to the new building across the Danube Canal, taken below the highway. a lift truck for the assembly of the outer façade can be seen. The front exterior façade is almost finished; there is still some work to do on the left. On the left, a door is visible that leads to a balcony. The balcony railing is still missing. The photo was taken in sunny and dry weather. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Outdoor photo taken on 03 August 2022.

View over Danube Canal. All windows already installed and 80% clad all around, which wink silver due to the weather. On the left side you can see the future main entrance. Two lifting platforms with construction workers can be seen in front of the building. The embankments on the bank of the Danube Canal are covered with geotextile. Dry and cloudy weather. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Exterior image taken at the end of April 2022.

Picture of a room in the building from the door side. Towards the window, you can see the two windows already installed. At the top, the power cables for ceiling lights run, some hang rolled up down at the window area. Left and right are already filled plaster walls. Right in front of the window, you can see a shaft for future power and EDV supply of this room. — © Stockhammer (BAW-IWB)

Picture inside taken on 01 March 2022.

Oblique view to the new building, taken below the highway, in front of it runs the Danube Canal. Two construction cranes can be seen in front of and behind the new building. The outer facade is taking shape. On the far right the railroad bridge can be seen in sunny and dry weather. — © Stockhammer (BAW-IWB)

Exterior photo taken on 01 March 2022.

Photo taken obliquely by drone. On the right you can see the future main entrance. Almost all windows are covered with tarpaulins. On the roof you can still see some scaffolding and building materials. Behind the house runs the Danube Canal, running parallel is the highway. Behind it is the 20th district, sunny and dry weather. — © Bakanic (BOKU)

View of the new building from above (street side) end of February 2022

View from above at the rear entrance. Most of the roof is covered with bitumen sheeting. In front of and behind it a construction crane. On the left of the building, one can already see the exterior façade, which is mirrored from the bottom up. Far left the Danube Canal, a crossed railroad bridge and almost parallel running highway, behind it houses (Nussdorf). Far left above is the (hilly) Kahlenberg. Behind the new building is the building of the Magistrate's Department of Viennese Waters, to the left of it over Danube Canal the Schemerl Bridge. On the right the Danube, behind it direction Langenzersdorf (Lower Austria). A road leads past the building on the right in the direction of the Schemerlbrücke. Various construction site equipment and materials on both sides of the road. — © Bakanic (BOKU)

Aerial view, taken at the end of January 2022. On the left Danube Canal with lock and in front of it railroad bridge, on the right Danube.

View into a room. On the floor you can see the partially laid plastic hoses of the future underfloor heating, which are permanently mounted. Insulating mats lie under the hoses. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Installation of the underfloor heating in a future laboratory room, during a tour end of January 2022.

View inside the new building. Many cables come out of small holes in the concrete ceiling and hang down. Each cable is labelled. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Cable outlets in the ceiling, during a tour end of January 2022.

View of the lower hall, the yellow cargo crane is clearly visible above, the steel girders above. Various building materials are scattered around. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View of the lower hall at the end of December 2021.

A road runs to the right of the new building. All window openings are provisionally covered with plastic sheets (protection against cold). A crane stands in front of the building, the railroad bridge can be seen on the left. Cloudy and cold weather just above freezing point. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View from future access road (courtyard side) end of December 2021.

View over the Danube Canal, construction cranes are on the left and right. The roof is "closed" and you can see the concrete steps on the left side of the building, on the right side the first cladding has already been installed. Two construction vehicles in front of the building. Dry, cold weather and a bit cloudy. On the far right the railroad bridge over the Danube Canal. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View over Danube Canal one week before Christmas Eve 2021.

View of the new building, on which the new wooden roof beams can be seen. In front of it the Schemerl bridge and the Nussdorf power plant. A four-lane road runs to the right (B14). Behind the new building, a railroad line runs across the Danube Canal. At the rivers left the Danube and right Danube Canal are to be seen, behind it the 20th district. Far back on the left is the DC Tower skyscraper. — © www.euronews.com

Aerial view: taken around the end of October, beginning of November 2021.

You can see a vineyard in the foreground, the construction site of the hydraulic engineering laboratory with the Danube and the houses of Vienna in the distance. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

A view of the new hydraulic engineering laboratory from about 1 km away.
November 1, 2021

The shell construction is almost finished. About 25-metre-long wooden beams have been mounted as supports for the roof. The Danube Canal flows in front of the building. The sun is shining on the building. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

The wooden beams (Glue laminated beams) for the roof are mounted.
November 1, 2021.

You can see the construction site with 2 large construction cranes, the street on the left and the Danube Canal on the right. In the background the houses of Vienna. Cloudy weather, but dry. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

View from the Otto Wagner building to the south of the construction site.
Photo taken in mid-October 2021.

You can see a building consisting of 4 floors of raw concrete, which is still missing the windows. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Of the street-side office wing, all four floors are in shell construction.

Concrete columns for the walls of the future test hall rise into the sky; a construction crane stands on each side. The Danube Canal flows in front of the building. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

The upper test hall, the RiverLab with the workshop, is currently being built.
Photo taken in mid-October 2021.

Large steel lattice girders for the ceiling of the MainChannel can be seen. The already installed crane is not visible in the photo. Precast concrete elements will be suspended between the girders and then a continuous surface is concreted above them. This surface will form the floor of the RiverLab. Furthermore some construction equipment can be seen. Clear sunny and hot weather. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Insight in the future MainChannel with steel lattice girders for the ceiling end of July 2021.

The hall crane was installed by crane from above on June 30. The ceiling is not yet in place. In front of the crane (view in MainChannel) are two lift trucks. Looking up into the sky, you can see the crane. Warm summer weather. — © Hengl (BAW-IWB)

Installation of an overhead crane at MainChannel on June 30, 2021.

The panorama picture shows the Danube Canal in front, in the background the construction site. Across the Danube Canal is a railway bridge of the Austrian Federal Railway. On the far right is the Nussdorf lock. Sunny, hot and humid weather. — © Stephan (BAW-IWB)

Panoramic view from construction site in June 2021
(with view to the railway bridge and the Danube Canal)

The image taken from a satellite shows the site during construction at the end of 2020. To the left of the site, one can see the Danube Canal with the Nußdorf hydropower plant, and to the right the Danube. — © google.maps

Satellite image of the site during the foundation works (end of 2020).
The google.maps photo has only been on display since June 2021.

A view of the interior from the first floor. On the left and right raised walls. In the middle are building materials (wood, formwork and so on). In the very front you can see the crane (one of two, the other is behind the photo), further ahead you can see the Nussdorf power plant and the Schemerl bridge. Dry pleasant weather, no sun. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View into the future test hall. State of construction at the beginning of June 2021.

View over Danube Canal. Two cranes standing left and right on the construction site visible, far right the railroad bridge. Somewhat cloudy, sunny and dry weather. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

On the right, the almost finished future outlet of the Danube water from the experimental hall can be seen. The long concrete walls are parts of the experimental hall.
Construction state at the end of April 2021.

In the outer wall of the hall is an opening of about 15 square metres. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

Opening at the beginning of the experimental hall through which water from the Danube will flow in, at the beginning of March 2021.

Three concrete walls at the banks of the Danube Canal forming two channels can be seen. In front runs the Danube Canal, behind it is the construction site. View from the other side of the Danube Canal. — © Urbanek (BAW-IWB)

View of the outlet structure through which water from the Danube will flow from the experimental hall into the Danube Canal. Construction status at the beginning of March 2021.