The Danube, which is almost 300m/330yds wide flows for 24km/15mi through Vienna from northwest to southeast. In times past, this, the second largest river of Europe, brought great problems to the city. The river meandered considerably - every rise in its level caused catastrophic flooding and it often formed new channels. Naturally the first efforts to control the waters were concentrated on the channels nearest the city and in 1598 the so-called "Danube Canal" was regulated.
This flowed for 17km/10mi between Nussdorf and Pratespitz; it was navigable and commercially important. With the introduction of larger vessels and with the growth of Vienna along the right bank of the main river and its expansion on the plain to the east it became necessary to regulate the main stream. Between 1868 and 1876 the river was straightened and provided on the east with a 400m/440 yard-wide flood channel. Further measures, begun in 1975 and now almost finished, will complete the protection against flooding.
Parallel to the main river a relief channel, the "New Danube" has been excavated in what has been a useful flood plain, forming an elongated island, called "Spaghetti Island" (see Danube Island). The Danube is now in four parts; the main stream, the New Danube, the Danube Canal and the Old Danube, the last named being made up of the cut-off remains of various arms of the old course of the river before 1870.
Below the Reichsbrücke the river is flanked by broad meadows which have been converted into a park-like area in the Prater and in the Lobau have been declared a nature reserve. From here to the Czech and Slovak republics' border the Eastern National Park is to be established. Within an overall civic plan Vienna will convert the Danube area into a scenically attractive region.
The river is spanned by two railroad bridges, Nordbahn- and Stadtlauer Ostbahnbrücke; five road bridges, Nordbrücke, Florisdorfer Brücke (renovated 1977-78), Brigittenauer Brücke, Reichsbrücke, which collapsed in 1976 and was fully restored by 1980, and the Praterbrücke as well as two service tunnels. There are also two small ferries.
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