Water and nature in harmony: The Etzelwerk is blossoming with new projects!

Water and nature in harmony: The Etzelwerk is blossoming with new projects!

Something is happening in the Feldkirch region, not just in everyday life, but also in terms of water management conditions. Today, September 23, 2025, we want to take a look at the significant environmental measures that are intended to raise not only the landscape, but also biodiversity to a new level. The focus is on the Etzelwerk, which uses Lake Sihl, the largest reservoir in a pre-Alpine region, to produce hydroelectric power.

The Sihlsee region not only enjoys a high natural and landscape value, but is also a popular recreational area. Thanks to the ongoing renovation and operation of the Etzelwerk, numerous environmental measures are being implemented to compensate for the interference with nature and create long-term benefits for the region. For example, as part of the revitalization of the Sihl near Sihlwald, a section of the Sihl is being made more natural and diverse. The aim of these measures is to create new habitats for plants and animals and to improve fish migration. This not only benefits nature, but also those seeking relaxation, who find the Sihl an attractive local recreation area.

Diverse environmental measures

The SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) also has a lot planned for the Sihlhölzli in Zurich. A fish ladder is being created here to increase the passability of the Sihl for fish, which is of great importance for the fish population and its diversity. There are also ecological upgrades at various points around Lake Sihlsee. Small still bodies of water such as ponds and ponds are created that provide habitats for rare amphibian and dragonfly species. A further enrichment is the upgrading of 3.5 km of forest edges, which improve the transitions between forest and agricultural areas.

• Revitalisierung Sihl bei Sihlwald
• Fischaufstieg Sihlhölzli
• Ökologische Aufwertungen rund um den Sihlsee
• Waldrandaufwertungen
• Rückbau und Aufwertung eines Bahntrassees in Rüti

But it's not just nature that benefits - the economy should also get on board. According to information from bafu.admin.ch The owners of existing hydroelectric power plants are obliged to eliminate negative impacts by 2030. Biodiversity in Swiss waters is under pressure: over 70% of native fish and crab species are endangered. Ecological renovations are urgently needed to protect and preserve habitats. There were over 1,000 renovation projects on the agenda by the end of 2022, with the speed of implementation having doubled in recent years.

Some measures that are already showing positive results include creating connectivity corridors and dampening surge and sink effects. The federal government also supports the need for these renovations financially by providing millions in compensation.

All in all, the region is ready for a new future in harmony with nature. The interaction between environmental and economic protection is thereby actively promoted. The upcoming projects around the Etzelwerk and the Sihl are a positive signal for the entire region. The future looks promising and it is to be hoped that these initiatives will be well received by the population. They not only make the region more livable, but also more sustainable.

You can find further information about the projects and the current situation at einsiedleranzeiger.ch read up.