Lake Constance water level is extremely low – shipping traffic has been partially suspended

The level of Lake Constance has fallen below the 2.50 meter mark. 2.49 meters were measured at the Konstanz gauge over the weekend. The water level is currently extremely low for the time of year. According to the State Environmental Agency, the reasons are, on the one hand, a lack of meltwater after a winter with little snow, as well as the low rainfall for months and high evaporation during the warm summer.

The State Environmental Agency expects Lake Constance water levels to fall further in the coming weeks due to the ongoing dryness and the natural annual rhythm. Lake Constance usually only reaches its lowest water levels in winter. In the second half of the year, less water enters the lake. Back towards the tributaries in late summer. A large proportion of precipitation falls as snow in autumn and winter.

Due to the low water level, shipping traffic has already been stopped in part of Lake Constance. The Konstanz municipal utilities announced that the Lake Constance shipping companies in the Untersee (Radolfzell, Iznang, Mannenbach and Reichenau) had suspended traffic until further notice. There have also recently been restrictions on tourist and cargo ships in other waters in Germany due to the dry weather. Shipping on the Rhine was particularly affected.

Schneider calls for a rethink in how we deal with water in Germany

Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) said that the situation on the Rhine and Lake Constance was a dramatic burden on nature and the economy. But it is only a visible sign of a larger development. He called for a rethinking of how water is used in Germany. »The times when we didn't have to worry about water in Germany are finally over. “Germany needs a different way of dealing with water,” the minister told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.

According to a spokesman for the German Weather Service (DWD), “notable, heavy rain” is expected at the beginning of the week and next Thursday. However, according to the DWD meteorologist, it is not yet possible to estimate whether the precipitation will cause the water levels on Lake Constance to rise again.

This article will continue to be updated.