Water shortage in Traunstein: Despite the rain, the situation remains critical!

Water shortage in Traunstein: Despite the rain, the situation remains critical!

The water supply in the Traunstein district is currently a serious concern. Despite recent rain, the soil is severely affected by the extreme drought. Bernhard Lederer, head of the Traunstein Water Management Office, warns that rainfall is not enough to alleviate the water shortage. Small bodies of water in particular, such as the Höllenbach near Waging, feel the effects most strongly. The situation is described as critical, as less and less water is flowing in rivers and lakes, which not only endangers water levels, but also severely affects flora and fauna, such as [rosenheim24.de].

Water shortage is a hot topic, especially in the Traunstein, Altötting and Berchtesgadener Land districts. Weather conditions occasionally bring violent thunderstorms, but these are often not sufficient to sustainably raise water levels. The head of the office appeals to citizens to use water sparingly and, if necessary, to severely limit the amount of water taken from streams in their own gardens. Because as we know: every liter counts! The low water levels endanger the living conditions of many species living in the water. Although no mass fish deaths have been recorded so far, the conditions are challenging, as pnp.de confirms.

Critical habitats for aquatic organisms

The problems are diverse: Due to the falling water levels, the aquatic organisms suffer from a lack of oxygen. This happens because at high temperatures and low water levels, less oxygen can be dissolved in the water. According to current measurements, the Höllenbach only has a discharge of a good 60 liters per second, which is hardly enough for the needs of the fish. In addition, the habitat for the fish is dramatically reduced, which leads to increased stress. Rising water temperatures combined with falling oxygen levels can have fatal consequences for the local fauna.

Despite all this, there are bright spots: the Traunstein health department has given the all-clear when it comes to swimming lakes. The water quality in the lakes remains stable - positive news in these challenging times. A few simple tips can also help increase safety when bathing. It is recommended to avoid visible algae and cloudy water and to avoid swimming if there are open wounds.

Long-term effects of climate change

However, the current situation is only part of a larger problem. Climate change also affects the water balance in Bavaria. As Bayern Umwelt shows through its KLIWA cooperation, there are noticeable changes in water balances and discharges during both high and low water. Future developments promise an increase in extreme events, which will increasingly affect bodies of water and water management, as lfu.bayern.de shows.

For residents in the affected districts, this means that they should act now and work towards a more sustainable use of water. Because the current water shortage could be just the beginning of a new reality that we will have to cope with in the coming years.