Save the Oetz - Save the Ötzaler Ache!

The Ötztaler Ache is massively threatened by the expansion of the Kaunertal power plant. The project is one of the largest construction projects in the Alps in recent decades, the planned power plant chain stretches across the entire Ötztal Alps, affecting a total of 4 valleys and 5 rivers: among other things, 20 m high dams are to be built in Venter & Gurgler Ache and up to 80% of the Ötztal water is to be diverted from the valley. The entire Ötztaler Ache and parts of the Venter & Gurgler Ache would become residual water stretches. For kayakers, this would mean that most stretches would often have too little water even in summer - in fall there would be no navigable water levels on any section. The attractiveness of the Ötztal as a kayaking area lies in the variety of routes and the water safety from spring to fall - all this would be lost.

However, this project is not only catastrophic from a paddler's perspective: the Ötztal locals fear water shortages, the Kaunertal locals fear increasingly unstable slopes at the reservoir and in the Platzertal valley, hectares of ecologically valuable moorland and wetland areas are to be submerged behind a 120m high dam. Despite years of resistance from the local population, the first part of the project has now been approved for an environmental impact assessment - now it's getting serious!

Sign the petition, donate or become a member now!

The association WET - Wildwasser erhalten Tirol is defending itself against the expansion plans together with citizens' initiatives from Ötztal, Kaunertal and Pfunds, the WWF, the Austrian and German Alpine Association, Global 2000 and many other organizations. You can sign the joint petition here. WET is dependent on donations, especially in order to participate in upcoming legal proceedings. You can donate here or become a member now! If you want to stay informed, follow WET on Instagram or Facebook or subscribe to the newsletter.

The OETZ TROPHY and the Ötztal Kayak Festival would no longer be possible if the Ötztal water was drained. Help us to preserve the Ötztal as an international epicenter for kayaking!