Aist (river)


The Aist is a river system in Upper Austria, a tributary of the Danube. Via its source rivers the Feldaist and the Waldaist, and other streams, it drains an area of.
The Aist rises in Hohensteg and flows through the protected Natura 2000 site on its journey to its confluence with the Danube.

History

The name "Aist" was derived from a Slavic river designation, recorded in ancient documents such as the Wilhelmine deed. Upper Austria, as well as many other parts of Europe, were at that time inhabited by Slavic peoples. The river appeared for the first time in 853 in a deed as "Agasta". In 983 it is called "Agesta". The prefix "ag" means "drive" or "fast". The name of Dietmar von Aist, a Minnesänger, may be related to the Aist.
In the August 2002 flood, the entire Aist area was devastated.