Committed citizens in action: Lower Austria honors helpers of hydrography

Committed citizens in action: Lower Austria honors helpers of hydrography

The state of Lower Austria recently gave a special award of more than 20 people who are involved in the care of hydrographic measuring points in their free time. One of the honored is Elisabeth Machacek from the Wiener Neustadt-Land district, which, with their tireless efforts, contributes significantly to the collection of important environmental data.

The more than 900 hydrographic measuring points nationwide play a decisive role in monitoring the water cycle. These systems measure important parameters such as precipitation, air temperature, water levels in surface waters as well as source fillings and locations of the groundwater. Around 500 volunteer supervisors are in use who ensure that the data has been continuously recorded for many years.

The meaning of the hydrographic measuring points

The hydrographic measuring points are not only important for science, but also help to deepen understanding of local water resources. The continuous data acquisition is of central importance, especially in times of climate change, where water shortages and extreme weather events increase. This information helps to react early to changes and thus also better manage unexpected natural events that could affect the region.

The award by the state government also underlines the importance of voluntary work. The framework conditions under which these volunteers perform their work are often challenging, and it is their passion for environmental protection that motivates them to work for these important tasks in their free time. The report on www.noen.at gives further insight In the background of the event and the work of the volunteers.

The governor of Stephan Pernkopf and other government officials in the award thank the supervisors for their influence, which goes far beyond the counting of water levels, and emphasize how important it is to guarantee sustainable water use for future generations. Their work not only supports research, but also includes daily use of our natural resources and their protection.