Revitalisation of the Inn

Like many other bodies of water in Switzerland, the natural development of the Inn at Celerina has been restricted over the last century by bank reinforcement. Following extensive revitalisation projects in Samedan and Bever, Celerina also followed suit. The project involved measures designed to restore parts of the Inn’s natural freedom of movement. In the process, various constraints – such as the expansion of the settlement, the needs of agriculture and tourism, and groundwater and flood protection – had to be reconciled with the planned environmental improvements. This led to the separation of protective and utilisation zones. The revitalisation work was completed in 2025.
 

Grayling: the dominant fish species The Inn in the Upper Engadine is home to Switzerland’s highest-altitude native grayling population. The fact that the population is able to sustain itself through natural reproduction at this altitude is remarkable and gives it national importance. A key objective of the project was therefore to enhance the natural grayling habitats in the Inn. In addition, target species from other animal groups as well as rare plants also benefit from the revitalisation.
 

1. The water landscape of the Champagnatscha has a distinctive character, featuring the remnants of abandoned channels from the former Flaz delta. One of these oxbows was reactivated during the revitalisation of the Flaz vegl (as can be seen from the inflowing white glacier water in the picture). The water level in the oxbow lakes fluctuates in line with that of the Inn. The resulting seasonally wet habitat is particularly well suited to the rare and endangered creeping spearwort (Ranunculus reptans) found here.

2. Two of the oxbow lakes were connected to a new side channel of the Inn, creating additional valuable shoreline and habitats for juvenile fish.

3. An additional body of still water was created as a compensatory measure for St. Moritz Energie’s Islas power station. This serves to promote amphibians and extends the area around the mouth of the Flaz vegl. To prevent fish from entering, the biotope is not fed by surface water but via a seepage system from the River Inn.

4. Along Via Maistra, the course of the Inn was shifted to the right and the erosion protection was renewed and reinforced. At the same time, the banks were restored to a near-natural state. Thanks to this embankment, it was also possible to create a cycle-free footpath, thereby separating non-motorised traffic.