Too little water in Lake Constance: New record possible - first ships can no longer sail

Created: 07/23/2022, 09:36

By: Nadja Zinsmeister

At low water in Lake Constance, a swan stands on the remains of a fortification.

© Felix Kästle/dpa

The level of Lake Constance in Constance is as low as it has rarely been, and it could soon break a new low water record.

This now has an impact on shipping.

Konstanz - In Konstanz, the water level of Lake Constance is currently as low as it is seldom at this time of year.

Strictly speaking, it is only about every 30 years on average, as a spokeswoman for the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for the Environment (LUBW) announced.

Accordingly, a water level of 3.35 meters was measured on Thursday.

This means that the Lake Constance level is around 90 centimeters lower than is actually usual for the summer at this time.

Konstanz: Low Lake Constance water level is approaching a new record

"This is only around 20 centimeters away from the seasonal record," said the spokeswoman.

If it hardly ever rains in the next few weeks, the previous season value in Lake Constance could be "achieved or even fallen short of this summer or autumn".

The last record value was measured in 1949 and 1976, in these two years the water level was only 3.17 meters.

In general, the water level is even lower in the months of January to March, but these are normal values, since precipitation at this time usually falls as snow and does not flow directly into Lake Constance.

Due to the current heat, not only Germany is struggling.

In Italy, there is a state of emergency in five regions between Milan, Lake Garda and Venice due to dryness and drought.

Video: First e-ferry for Lake Constance

Lake Constance: Too little water causes ships the first problems

The low water level is now causing the first problems in shipping.

On the Swiss bank and in the Old Rhine between Rorschach and Rheineck, there are no more ships for the time being, according to the Swiss Lake Constance shipping company.

The water level is too low - and the trend continues to go down.

"It is still uncertain when the season on the Alter Rhein can be resumed," the company said.

also read

Eurojackpot on Friday, July 22nd, 2022: These are the current winning numbers

Relentless hunt: Researchers film how orcas eat gigantic blue whales alive

The Bodensee-Schiffbetriebe in Konstanz announced that their fleet could sail "without any problems" at water levels of at least three meters.

From a water level below 3.10 meters, however, there may be restrictions for wheelchair users at individual piers.

"It is unlikely that individual lines or shipping would have to be stopped completely," said a BSB spokeswoman.

A river is also currently struggling with problems.

Water no longer flows in the side arms of the Amper.

(

)