VERBUND, Austria’s largest electricity producer and one of Europe’s major hydropower operators, has added the Watermaster Classic V eco-dredger to its maintenance fleet. The machine will be used across the company’s network of hydropower plants, dams and associated water infrastructure, where regular maintenance is required to maintain hydraulic performance and operational reliability.
VERBUND operates a wide range of hydropower assets throughout Austria. Many of these facilities depend on complex networks of waterways, reservoirs and intake structures that are exposed to continuous sediment transport and vegetation growth. Over time, sediment accumulation can reduce storage capacity and restrict flow, while excessive aquatic vegetation can limit hydraulic efficiency and increase operational risk. These issues are particularly pronounced in shallow areas, where access is limited and conventional dredging equipment is often unsuitable.
The selection of the Watermaster Classic V reflects the need for equipment that can operate effectively in these challenging environments. According to Watermaster, the ability to deploy a single machine capable of handling multiple maintenance tasks was a key factor in the decision.
Multipurpose dredging solution for hydropower applications
The Watermaster Classic V is a Finnish-manufactured, amphibious, multipurpose dredger designed for environmental maintenance in water depths ranging from 0 to 6 m. The Watermaster concept has been developed over more than four decades, with installations in more than 85 countries worldwide.
Within VERBUND’s hydropower portfolio, the Classic V will be used for a range of infrastructure maintenance tasks. These include desilting operations carried out using both suction dredging and backhoe dredging methods, as well as vegetation removal through raking. Together, these activities are intended to support the long-term performance of waterways and reservoirs by maintaining water storage capacity, ensuring reliable flow conditions and keeping intake areas clear.
A key advantage of the Classic V is its multipurpose design. By integrating dredging and vegetation management functions into a single platform, the machine reduces the need for several specialist units on site. This approach simplifies planning and logistics, improves operational flexibility and allows maintenance teams to respond more efficiently to varying site conditions.
Watermaster notes that this type of flexibility is becoming increasingly important for hydropower operators, particularly as maintenance demands grow and site conditions become more variable.
Amphibious access and controlled environmental performance
The Watermaster Classic V has been designed to address the access challenges commonly encountered in hydropower maintenance projects. The machine can be transported as a complete unit using a standard trailer, allowing it to be moved quickly between multiple sites. It is self-launching, enabling it to enter the water without the need for crane support.
Once in the water, the dredger is self-propelled and capable of travelling between work areas at speeds of up to 4 knots. During operations, front and rear spuds provide self-anchoring, creating stable working conditions even in shallow or confined environments. Where water depths are extremely limited, the machine can crawl or walk to continue work, allowing maintenance activities to proceed in areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
This level of mobility reduces the need for temporary access roads, bridges or additional handling equipment. As a result, project complexity and overall costs can be lowered, while safety conditions for operators can be improved.
Environmental performance is also a key consideration for hydropower maintenance, particularly in regulated or sensitive water bodies. The Classic V’s suction dredging system is based on Watermaster’s patented submersible cutter pump, which allows sediment to be removed in a controlled manner with minimal disturbance to surrounding water areas. This targeted approach supports more precise maintenance work and helps limit the spread of suspended material.
In addition, the ability to complete several maintenance tasks with a single multipurpose machine reduces the overall footprint of operations along waterways and reservoir banks. Fewer machines operating on site can simplify environmental management requirements and contribute to more streamlined project execution.
Responding to changing maintenance demands
According to Watermaster, the deployment of the Classic V at VERBUND reflects wider trends affecting hydropower operators across Europe and globally. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of rainfall events, leading to higher erosion rates and greater sediment transport into waterways and reservoirs. This accelerates sediment build-up and increases the need for regular desilting operations.
At the same time, nutrient pollution is contributing to stronger growth of aquatic vegetation. Excessive vegetation can restrict water flow, reduce effective storage capacity and complicate intake operations. These challenges are often most acute in shallow or marginal areas, where access is limited and conventional equipment struggles to operate effectively.
As a result, there is growing demand for amphibious, multipurpose eco-dredgers that can carry out a range of maintenance tasks in difficult conditions. Watermaster reports increasing interest in this type of equipment from hydropower operators seeking flexible, cost-effective and environmentally responsible maintenance solutions.
VERBUND has indicated that it expects the Watermaster Classic V to support efficient, safe and environmentally friendly maintenance across its hydropower infrastructure. For Watermaster, the project demonstrates the role of shallow water dredging solutions in supporting long-term hydropower asset performance and addressing evolving operational and environmental pressures.
