Groundwater levels in Baden-Württemberg are at historically low levels

After an extremely dry September, the groundwater conditions in the country are at a very low level - and there is no real improvement in sight. According to the Baden-Württemberg State Environmental Agency (LUBW), the values ​​at every fifth measuring point are lower than ever before.

Even in wet weather, the recharge process would only be able to start again in a few weeks after the soil water reservoir has been at least partially replenished, according to the current LUBW report “Groundwater levels and spring discharge”. “It is currently unclear whether this positive turnaround will take place during October, but based on the current weather forecasts it is rather unlikely.”

Difficulties with water supply possible in some places

The groundwater levels are therefore likely to continue to fall and the number of measuring points with historically low conditions will continue to increase, as the experts from the Karlsruhe authority explained. “Large-scale bottlenecks in the public water supply are not expected in Baden-Württemberg, although difficulties are still possible in the Upper Black Forest and other areas that are predominantly supplied with spring water.”

At six out of ten measuring points in Baden-Württemberg, the values ​​are below the normal range, according to the report. At every third measuring point, the current groundwater conditions are below the previous September lowest values ​​of the past 30 years. At 20 percent of the measuring points, the historical low values ​​were even exceeded - mainly in the area of ​​the Swabian Alb, the Upper Black Forest and Upper Swabia. September and October are usually the months with the lowest groundwater conditions, as Michel Wingering from LUBW said.

Leakage into groundwater was last observed in June, the report continues. “The soil layers have been completely dry for several weeks down to depths far below the root zone.”

What is taken into account when classifying?

The LUBW relates the current situation to previous developments and creates forecasts. Various factors are used, such as soil moisture, meteorological data (temperature and precipitation), historical extreme values, the previous seasonal hydrological annual course of the measuring points with statistical trend observations and comparisons, groundwater recharge and climate projections.