Bavaria's Wassernot: Experts warn of critical drought!

Bavaria's Wassernot: Experts warn of critical drought!

Bayern, Deutschland - The drought in Bavaria is very worried about environmental experts, despite the recent rains. As the State Office for the Environment reports in Augsburg, the winter half year 2024/2025 was "clearly too dry". Except for the moist January, all other winter months were characterized by too low rainfall. A detailed analysis of the hydrological winter half -year, which ranges from early November to the end of April, shows worrying trends.

The traces of drought can be read particularly on the small number of snow days. In Würzburg there was only one day with a snow cover of at least one centimeter, in Augsburg it was four days and six days in Munich. In contrast, Hof experienced a rather normal winter in Upper Franconia with 34 snow days. In addition, the Zugspitze has recorded the lowest snow height for 83 years: on May 5, only 116 centimeters were measured, which corresponds to the slightest snow level since 1942

groundwater situation critically

The lack of rainfall also have a significant impact on the groundwater deposits in Bavaria. Almost every second surface -close measuring point showed low or very low values. At the same time, 41 percent of the measuring points were in a low water situation in lower groundwater sticks. Despite slight improvements last year, a sustainable recovery of the groundwater situation is not in sight.

experts rate the groundwater situation for the upcoming summer half year as unfavorable. In particular, the evaporation of plants during the vegetation phase contributes to reducing the amount of precipitation for groundwater new formation. Groundwater is the most important reservoir for drinking water in Bavaria, about two thirds of the drinking water come from around 4,300 fountains that tap the groundwater.

challenges from climate change

The water shortage in Germany, including Bavaria, has multi -layered causes. According to the Environmental Federal Agency , the climatic conditions are often shaped by low water supply. There are also water quality problems, such as the nitrate pollution, and increasingly higher water withdrawals for agriculture and in metropolitan regions.

A research project called Wadklim offers solutions for future water management and supports the German adaptation strategy to climate change and the national water strategy. The results are available on the UBA website on the subject of low water and drought. Regional measures to combat water shortages include the establishment of long -distance water pipe systems and limits for water withdrawals.

Need sustainable use of water resources

It becomes increasingly clear that the existing measures for water protection may be inadequate. The continued drought and uncertainties in relation to the future use of water make it clear that extensive adjustments are required. Future dry periods could significantly reduce water availability in many regions of Germany and lead to the development or tightening of usage conflicts.

The recommendation for the use of standardized indicators and for the mandatory detection of irrigation quantities in central reporting points is also supported according to