Samina (river)


The Samina is a whitewater river of Liechtenstein and Austria. It is a tributary of the Ill.
The Samina originates in Liechtenstein. In the course of time, it formed the , the most western valley of Rätikon and side valley of the. The Saminatal makes up to one third of the territory of Liechtenstein. It has a length of approximately .

Use

The water is intensively used for electricity production as well as for drinking water supply for the communities of Liechtenstein. The Samina possesses A to B grade quality and sportsmen value the river for rafting.

Liechtenstein

In general the Saminatal is not very populated or exploited, therefore its wildlife is almost untouched. Many endangered animals and plantes exist there.
There is one hydro-electric power station at Samina, which from 2011 to 2015 was transformed into a pumped-storage power station. The pump-storage reservoir has to always leave some water to the river, the amounts fixed by the Liechtenstein law for protection of water. There are measures taken to ensure the ecologically conditions of the river. Nonetheless there is critique from ecologists, that these amounts are by far not enough to protect the wildlife in the river.

Austria

At the lower course the run three power plants.
The Austrian part of Samina is a popular destination for rafting.
In the middle part of the valley, around the border of Liechtenstein and Austria, there is the European Union nature protection area Spirkenwälder Saminatal.