Danube riverbed weir construction near Paks faces severe erosion

The construction of a riverbed weir on the Danube near Paks has faced significant challenges due to rapid erosion. Within two weeks of starting construction, the narrowing of the riverbed caused by stone embankments increased water velocity, resulting in the riverbed deepening by 8 to 13 meters in certain areas. While initial measurements showed depths of 4–5 meters, recent government footage indicates depths reaching up to 18 meters.

To stabilize the riverbed and the structure, workers have deployed over one hundred concrete blocks. Water authorities state that this erosion was anticipated in hydrodynamic models and is not a construction error. The Ministry of Defence reported that no further erosion has been observed since the intervention.

The project was fast-tracked via a negotiated procedure without a public tender to address low water levels that threatened the cooling water supply for the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. The contract was awarded to A-Híd Építő Zrt. for 2.05 billion HUF, a 33 percent increase over the initial 1.55 billion HUF estimate. The Public Procurement Authority has requested an explanation regarding the decision to invite only a single company to the process.