Reduced flood risks for over 1,300 people living along the Meža and Mislinja Rivers

The project is implemented by the Slovenian Water Agency with the aim to ensure flood safety in the Drava River basin and to reduce adverse effects of the Meža and Mislinja Rivers. The project is implemented in urban and industrial areas stretching from Dravograd to Prevalje and from Otiški vrh to Slovenj Gradec. The project will help ensure a 100-year flood protection in the urban areas and agricultural areas included in the project. Thus, the total number of flood-prone buildings will decrease by 755. In addition to minimizing flood damage, the project will contribute to reducing costs of flood mitigation both on movable property and immovable property which would otherwise suffer considerable damage without these measures.    

Flood prevention measures have been carried out without unduly damaging the ecological status of the watercourses. As much of riparian vegetation as possible has been preserved, and a number of mitigation measures have been carried out, e.g. creating fish hiding places, reducing the height of transverse structures. The levels of pollution of groundwater have also fallen.

Improved flood safety will help improve the quality of life for 1,300 residents of the project area. In addition, the combination of newly gained areas and better living conditions boosts the region’s development potential, especially in the sector of tourism and recreation (development of walking paths, cycle paths, hiking, water sports).  

Photo: Photo archive of the beneficiary