Lake Constance: Record low water levels slow boats down

The Drought in inland lakes and rivers is causing major problems for recreational boaters this year – and in many places there is no end in sight. Lake Constance has been particularly hard hit: at the Berlingen gauge, the water level of the Untersee has fallen below the previous record low set in 1949. Particularly in shallow harbours and bays, recreational boats are now often lacking the necessary water depth: boats are running aground, can no longer reach their moorings or have to be moved. Passenger ferry services have also already been restricted.

All-time low

​Rivers and inland lakes are suffering particularly badly this year from low water levels. The water level in the Untersee, part of Lake Constance, has now fallen to a historic low. At the Swiss gauge in Berlingen, a level of 394.16 metres above sea level was recorded on the morning of Wednesday 7 October. This is around 15 centimetres lower than the previous record low set on 14 January 1949. Seasonal factors mean that it is more likely that water levels will continue to fall.

​The pictures are reminiscent of the The summer of 2022: low water levels: Back then, many boat owners on Lake Untersee had to take their pleasure boats out of the water early because of dry moorings and harbour approaches that were too shallow

Drought persists throughout the year

The cause is an unusual combination of a winter with little snow in the Alpine region, low rainfall in the Lake Constance catchment area and high evaporation during the warm, dry summer. September brought Baden-Württemberg: only around 27 per cent the usual amount of rainfall.

For water sports enthusiasts, the situation is particularly serious on the shallow Untersee: harbour entrances, jetties and moorings are running dry, and boats are either stranded or have to be moved. The Lake Constance Shipping Company suspended its scheduled services on the Untersee as early as 1 October until further notice. The Swiss Shipping Company for the Untersee and the Rhine now operates only a reduced service.

Converting to a lifting keel as a long-term solution?

In recent summers, owners have occasionally had to have their yachts lifted out of the water for weeks at a time due to fluctuating water levels. The situation, which has now become even more acute, is prompting shipyards to consider solutions for yachts with greater draught. According to the Ott shipyard in Meersburg, the Aphrodite 101 built there can now be retrofitted with a lifting keel. This is intended to significantly reduce its draught for harbour manoeuvres and shallow moorings, without having to compromise on the sailing characteristics of a ballasted keel. The shipyard reports that there is considerable interest from owners.