Overview
- The Konstanz gauge measured about 318 centimetres, a level LUBW reported on Thursday as the lowest reading for early July since records began in 1850.
- LUBW says the drop follows significantly below-average precipitation in May and June that cut inflows from the Alps and the Rhine.
- Local impacts are already visible: patches of lakebed are exposed near the island of Reichenau and excursion ships cannot reach the Mannenbach landing on the Swiss shore.
- Regional monitoring shows drought is widespread, with 34% of Baden-Württemberg measurement stations at 'extremely low' levels and another 43% 'very low', and operators have adjusted some shipping schedules.
- The Deutscher Wetterdienst forecasts little rain in the coming days, so authorities expect levels to stay low or fall further, increasing risks to farm yields, tourism access and river navigation if sustained rain does not arrive.