Lake Constance: Drought causes Germany’s largest lake to dry up

Konstanz (Baden-Württemberg) – Heat and drought are currently also causing problems for Germany’s largest inland lake. The water level of Lake Constance is well below the usual seasonal values.

The historical record was set after the Heat wave already cracked: Because according to the State Environmental Agency Baden-Württemberg (LUBW), such a low water level has never been measured in July. According to the authority, the previous minimum value since records began in 1850 was 3.23 meters – measured on July 7, 1976. On Thursday it was only 318 centimeters near Konstanz. Normally the lowest water level is usually reached in the months of February or March.

A LUBW spokeswoman explained to BILD: “Typically, the highest level is expected at this time of year. The reason for this is that the precipitation flows into the lake via rivers and streams and is not stored as snow in the mountains. In addition, there is melting snow in the mountains.”

These are the reasons for the low water

But this year everything is different when it comes to the weather: less snow, especially in the lower altitudes of the Alps, and the current drought make Lake Constance literally thirsty. According to LUBW, the Alpine Rhine, as the main tributary to Lake Constance, also carries significantly less water than usual for the reasons mentioned. Neighboring Switzerland has already declared drought level 4 (“major danger”) for parts of the Lake Constance catchment area.

Ships are still sailing on Lake Constance

The Lake Constance Shipping Companies (BSB) did not yet have to moor their fleet in the port. Only the Mannenbach landing site cannot be accessed until further notice due to the low water level. Those too Ship operator Of course we hope for rain. Christopher Pape, press spokesman for Stadtwerke Konstanz, said in response to BILD’s request: “We are of course happy about sunshine. But given the low water level, rain would always be good. We all need that at the moment – both people and nature.”

A forecast as to whether the drought will affect Lake Constance in this one Sommer He would rather not give it up if it were to happen again like it did in the spring of 2025. At that time, the bottom of the water could already be seen in some places. In Konstanz and many other parts of the water The water level even shrank to 2.72 meters at the beginning of April 2025. Former Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) spoke of a worrying situation.

So the look goes up to see whether clouds will finally bring the longed-for water. The prognosis of the The German Weather Service (DWD) gives little hope for the next few days: With temperatures sometimes over 30 degrees again, heavy showers are unlikely to be in sight.