A large-scale revitalization project on the Inn River in Zams (Tyrol) is set to enhance aquatic habitats and promote biodiversity while creating a new local recreation area. The initiative, jointly funded by the federal government, the province of Tyrol, and the municipality of Zams, includes widening the river by 8,000 square meters and removing 30,000 cubic meters of soil to lower the terrain.
According to Andreas Murrer from Tyrol’s water management department, these structural changes are expected to form gravel banks with varying water levels, which will foster diverse habitats. These include temporary floodplain ponds and a still-water zone that connects to groundwater, creating a habitat for amphibians. The nearby Köllbach stream will also be reconnected to the Inn, providing fish with a retreat and spawning ground. The €1.6 million project will be implemented in two low-water phases from autumn 2025 to early 2027 under the supervision of the Imst district construction office.
Restoring Natural Dynamics and Raising Awareness
Walter Michaeler from the environmental protection department highlighted that the site in Zams was selected due to its potential for natural restoration, including a degraded riparian forest. The project aims to restore conditions close to the river’s original state. Michaeler expressed hope that native species like grey alders and common sandpipers would return.
During an on-site visit, the potential of the project was evident, even though the area still appeared neglected. With dead tree canopies and overgrown access paths, the transformation into an accessible and inviting recreation zone has yet to begin. Nonetheless, Murrer and Michaeler emphasized that such efforts should not be viewed in isolation but as part of a network of ecological restoration projects across Tyrol, including in Tösens, Mils, Telfs, Innsbruck, and Radfeld.
Ecologists Call for Broader Restoration Strategy
Ecologist Gabriel Singer from the University of Innsbruck noted that while local projects are important, they rarely lead to significant biodiversity gains unless they are part of larger regional strategies. Singer stressed the need to give rivers more space, even if this means reclaiming land from agriculture. However, he still sees value in small-scale projects like Zams, as they raise public awareness and contribute incrementally to ecological restoration.
Recreation Area for the Community
Mayor Benedikt Lentsch (SPÖ) sees the dual benefit of the project: ecological improvement and the creation of a recreational area for residents. State councillors Josef Geisler (ÖVP) and René Zumtobel (SPÖ) echoed this, noting the project’s role in both flood protection and habitat development. The 8,200-square-meter expansion is expected to create new habitats for plants, birds, fish, and amphibians.
