Loss of water in Lauenburg: Lakes are fighting the drought!

Loss of water in Lauenburg: Lakes are fighting the drought!

In recent years there has been a worrying trend of falling water levels in several lakes in the Duchy of Lauenburg. According to a study led by hydrologist Christoph Külls from the TU Lübeck was carried out, some bodies of water such as the Pinnsee near Mölln have lost up to 1.50 meters of water in the last 25 years. This is not only an alarming sign for the local environment, but also a clear indication of the potential impacts of climate change.

The swimming area at Pinnsee, which was once right on the water, is now about 20 meters from the waterline. These developments are alarming because most of the lakes in Schleswig-Holstein depend directly on groundwater, which regenerates due to precipitation. But less precipitation and rising temperatures lead to higher evaporation, which further reduces the amount of water. Külls and his team are in the process of researching these causes in more detail, but this could take several years.

Causes and effects of water scarcity

The current decline in water levels does not only affect the Duchy of Lauenburg. A comprehensive study of the CONVENTION shows that groundwater scarcity is a growing problem in Germany. This not only leads to falling water levels, but also to drying out soils. Agriculture suffers significantly from these developments, as the yields from the fields often fall short of expectations, which endangers food security.

According to this study, a total of eight out of fifteen districts in Schleswig-Holstein are now affected by groundwater stress, including Lübeck and Stormarn. Pressure on water resources is increased by climate change, dry summers and high abstraction for drinking water, industrial and agricultural purposes. While the municipal utilities and the district in the Duchy of Lauenburg note that only 10% of the groundwater is extracted, Külls emphasizes the need for a balance between groundwater recharge, use and losses in the system.

Strategies to address the water crisis

The BUND is calling on politicians to take countermeasures and adapt the regulation of groundwater extraction. Measures such as promoting water-saving technologies in agriculture and industry and raising public awareness are essential.

The report makes it clear that there are already risks of increasing water stress, especially in northern Germany, but the risk of water shortages is relatively low compared to other regions in Germany. Nevertheless, Külls warns of more frequent droughts in the future.

The demands on the federal government's national water strategy include, among other things, fair pricing for water, the restoration of wetlands and moors and restrictions on the use of harmful substances. This is the only way to ensure the water supply for future generations.

Finally, it remains to be hoped that comprehensive research and clever water policy will lead to a sustainable use of our water resources before a serious problem arises in the long term.