Ship-induced Waves on the Austrian Danube East of Vienna

The Donau-Auen National Park has initiated a research project to investigate the physical characteristics of ship-induced waves in the bank zone (littoral zone) of the free-flowing section of the Danube, east of Vienna. Using capacitance wave gauges the waves of about 40 passing ships (first measuring period, over two days) were recorded with high temporal resolution. A second measuring period is planned. Supported by a statistical analysis, the characteristic parameters of the measured water-level variations (maximum rise of water level, deepest depression of water level, frequency and duration of waves, spectra) have been determined and related to the type and speed of ships. Obviously there is a huge influence of the form of the hull and the speed of the ships.