Floodplains are important areas that provide many benefits, but they have been shrinking due to human activities like building dams and changing land use. This study looked at the Danube River to find active, former, and potential floodplains. They used data on water flow, historical records, and maps to identify these areas. They found that the Danube has lost about 79% of its floodplains, but there is potential to restore some of them. By working with different countries along the river, they identified 24 areas that could be restored. This research helps us understand the current situation of floodplains along the Danube and shows that there is a lot of room for improvement in managing these important areas.