N/A

1.            review and, where necessary, improve the regulations of the protected area in order to maintain its protected status, and devote a part of the next management plan (2024 onwards) of the Hohe Tauern National Park to the Krimml Waterfalls, detailing the measures implemented to meet the recommendations attached to the renewal; consider applying for the extension of the European Diploma to include the Hohe Tauern National Park;

The European Diploma holding area is mentioned a few times within the current management plan of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The Krimml Waterfalls will be part of the next management plan in a similar fashion.

Many chapters of the next management plan contribute to the protection and research of the Krimml Waterfalls and its surroundings. For example forest-management, rivers, biodiversity research and many more. Within these chapters the necessary measures to protect and research the National Park are detailed. The new management plan will be finalized early 2025.

2.            continue to take appropriate measures in order to preserve the natural beauty of this impressive natural phenomenon for future generations; monitor the potential impact of climate change on the ecosystem and its fauna and flora; define appropriate measures to mitigate flash floods in case of heavy rainfall;

Appropriate measures are implemented as part of an ongoing process. There is actually no impact of climate change on the site.

3.            continue to avoid detrimental impact on the high aesthetic quality of the landscape surrounding the Krimml Waterfalls, in particular in the areas around “Wasserfallboden” and “Schönangerl”;

Appropriate measures are implemented as part of an ongoing process. In all nature conservation law administrative procedures that take place in the surroundings of the Krimml Waterfalls, a rigorous examination of the potential impact on the natural monument takes place.

4.            continue to maintain a high level of vigilance regarding developments in the infrastructure close to the falls, for example the installation or extension of shops, as well as health centres and new tourism activities that are not compatible with the area’s natural environment;

Appropriate measures are implemented as part of an ongoing process. In all nature conservation law administrative procedures that take place in the surroundings of the Krimml Waterfalls, a rigorous examination of the potential impact on the natural monument takes place. There are no new touristic activities or attractions installed.

A new restroom along the “Wasserfallweg” is in planning. Once the specifics are known, they will be rigorously examined to determine whether or not this installation is compatible with the area’s natural environment.  

5.            continue to pay close attention to potential path erosion and make sure that visitors only use the existing paths;

The general maintenance work on the footpath is an ongoing process. This work will be carefully implemented in the landscape for both the safety of visitors (rockfall fences beside the path have been installed) and visitor management.

6.            maintain and further strengthen the co-operation with local stakeholders, especially landowners, the municipality, the Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV), as well as tourism operators and associations;

The co-operation with all stakeholders is very well maintained.

7.            further pursue scientific research and secure funding for studies on fauna and flora within the diploma-holding area, focusing on periodic monitoring of relevant taxonomic groups in order to evaluate the possible effects of changing environmental factors such as flood regimes, climate change, invasive pathogens and invasive alien species; pay special attention to monitoring and combating damaging bark beetles, for example Ips typographus (European spruce-bark beetle, Buchdrucker);

Appropriate measures are implemented as part of an ongoing process.

8.            make use of the European Diploma logo in all information material and brochures, and explain the relevance of the diploma wherever appropriate, in particular in the visitors’ centres and on the website.

The Europa Diploma and the relevance is mentioned in our information material.

No changes in relation to the terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Wolfram Lechner ([email protected]) is currently the regional site manager.

No changes

Next to the Europa Diploma holding area and the starting point of a four-kilometer-long waterfall hike, there is the World of Water. This innovative exhibition area is a combination of edutainment, sensory experiences and active participation. The grandiose panoramic terrace in the WasserBar reveals spectacular views of waterfalls. The exhibition area is dedicated to infotainment, with exciting experiments and a new Water Cinema. In the outdoor area, visitors can get active. Fun games ensure plenty of enjoyment while learning about water. The centerpiece of the World of Water is a modern waterfall center. The Aquaszenarium is a projection show, the only one of its kind in Austria, and a cracker for young and old alike. The floor and walls are covered with projections, which can be mentioned and changed by touch or by stepping onto them. With this multimedia setup, visitors can playfully immerse themselves in the four water worlds, beginning with the water meadow landscape at the upper falls of the river, where you can play interactively with projected butterflies, grasses and fish. The second water world takes you to the middle of the waterfalls themselves, and the third one lets you experience the viewpoint of a microbe. The fourth and last water world takes you back to the surface feeling refreshed and having been enriched with unique impressions, new perspectives and a different attitude towards our elixir of life, water.

The river management plan for the Krimmler Achental (the valley containing the waterfalls) was completed 2023. It determined very good river ecology and hydrology for the waterfalls. Furthermore, it aims to implement river restorations, which further improve the ecological and hydrological state of the river, in the river parts upstream of the Krimml Waterfalls.

Upstream of the Krimml Waterfalls the national park management is planning and soon building a new hiking trail to split vehicle and foot traffic. This trail starts approximately 350 m south of the boundaries of the European Diploma holding site. It functions as a continuation of the exisiting “Wasserfallweg”, which allows visitors to see the Krimml Waterfalls. With this trail better visitor management is expected.

The award of the European Diploma is not only honorable, but it is also a challenge for conservationists to responsibly meet the demands of protection. The policies of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the government of Land Salzburg adhere strongly to the idea of protecting the Krimml Waterfalls. Many an intervention was warded off based on the regulations of the European Diploma! Extremely keen standards are being applied to all matters connected with Krimml Waterfalls and their protected surroundings. The award of the European Diploma to the Krimml Waterfalls has spread knowledge of the waterfalls and the National Park throughout the world. This fact has been appreciated by the National Park Administration in many publications and conferences.