In the area of tension between flood protection, hydropower use, shipping and nature conservation, the interests, responsibilities and planning framework conditions on the Danube in Upper Austria are particularly complex. For the first time in the history of the river, the project LIFE IRIS offers the opportunity to develop a joint action plan as result of a GE-RM planning process. Preparatory work for the planning process has been carried out and is now to be integrated – supplemented by further surveys and analyses – into a concept of measures, which is also coordinated and agreed with stakeholders. Additionally a pilot measure with added value for flood protection and river ecology will be implemented. It is planned to create a gravel island and a side branch in the downstream section of the hydropower plant Ottensheim. By lowering the terrain, pioneer areas for gravel islands and floodplain forest sites will be created and the flood runoff will be improved.