Dry times: Ravensburg imposes a water withdrawal ban until July!

Dry times: Ravensburg imposes a water withdrawal ban until July!

The ongoing drought in the Ravensburg district is not just a regional problem, but is part of a worrying development that affects the whole of Germany. As Schwäbische.de reports, the water levels in streams and rivers have fallen drastically. The Ravensburg district office has therefore imposed a ban on taking water from lakes and rivers until July 15th. This is intended to protect the aquatic ecology, which is suffering from rising temperatures and particularly affects fish, small creatures and aquatic plants.

Water is a precious commodity, especially in these times. While the water levels have been falling for several weeks, a press release from the district office shows the critical situation: a lack of rain is leading to extreme warming in ponds and lakes. Therefore, common use under water law no longer applies without restrictions. However, there are some exceptions - for example for watering livestock or for scooping with hand vessels.

Dry lands – things are getting serious!

This situation is not isolated and reflects a broader problem that affects all of Germany. According to the Federal Environment Agency, Germany experienced the driest period since 1931 from February to April 2025. Particularly alarming was March, which was recorded as one of the driest months with only 21% of the precipitation compared to the reference period.

The region is sounding the alarm: In many areas, especially in the north and northeast of Germany, such as Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, the soil has dried out up to 190 cm deeper. This also has far-reaching effects on agriculture, which is increasingly being forced to use artificial irrigation. This need is more than just a short-term measure; Studies warn of a prolonged drought that could reduce water availability to a dangerous minimum.

Ecological consequences and social responsibility

The German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) emphasizes the importance of restoring damaged habitats. Insects and animals that rely on moist ecosystems suffer particularly from the changed climatic conditions. Falling river levels, such as on the Rhine, and the extremely low water in Lake Constance are visible signs of this challenge, with an increased risk of forest fires.

The question everyone needs to ask themselves is: What does this mean for our future? Measures to adapt and save water consumption are essential. This applies not only to agriculture, but also to the private sector. Citizens are called upon to use water more sparingly and to be particularly careful when watering their gardens.

The current drought is not just a problem for the Ravensburg region, but a trend that affects us all. The measures and strategies that are being developed and implemented here could have far-reaching consequences for society as a whole if action is not taken as soon as possible. Climate change is giving us a clear indication: we need to take better care of our water resources so that we are not left high and dry in the future.

In view of the 10,000 euro fines that can be imposed for violations of the water abstraction ban, the seriousness of the situation becomes clear once again. The district office will have to extend the general order if the drought continues if the situation does not improve. An appeal to everyone to behave responsibly is therefore more urgent than ever.