DRAIN Projekt

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Our goal

We combine Earth observation, meteorological, and in-situ data for prediction of soil erosion when strong precipitation is expected. A collaboration between academia, industry, municipalities, and farmers to protect our soils.

The DRAIN project

In the DRAIN project, different technologies are being further developed and integrated to improve the prediction of soil erosion.

An important source of information is up-to-date land surface data, which are analyzed based on the European Sentinel-2 satellites from the Copernicus Programme. This image shows a Sentinel-2 satellite acquisition from August 2025. It depicts a large-scale landscape with green meadows and forests.

Sentinel-2 image in summer

In contrast, an image from October 2025 shows a different picture: many agricultural fields have been harvested and display exposed soil.

Sentinel-2 image in autumn

In spring or autumn, these fields are more vulnerable, with heavy rainfall events tending to occur more frequently in spring. In the DRAIN project, these satellite data are analyzed, meteorological forecasting models are improved, enhanced methods for calculating erosion are developed, and, together with farmers, a technical solution for analysis and visualization is being created.

News

12 March 2026

Participation and second workshop

25 March 2026 · Online and in person in Fernitz-Mellach

Farmers in Austria have the opportunity to participate in the DRAIN project. As a farmer, you know your land best. Through your active participation, you support the development of the digital application with local information directly from the field. This helps us close data gaps and improve our models, which also provides direct benefits to you.

Your participation helps us, but it also offers advantages for you: twice a year there will be workshops focused on soil protection and soil erosion, where experts will be invited to present interesting new developments. During the development phase, you will already receive access to the system as well as to satellite data, meteorological data, and other geospatial data.

Join the project Register for the workshop Info document (DE)