Berlin's Spree is drying out: water levels are at an alarming low!

Berlin's Spree is drying out: water levels are at an alarming low!

In Brandenburg, the effects of the previously dry spring are clearly noticeable. The water levels in the Spree and the Upper Havel are alarmingly low, which concerns residents and the relevant authorities. According to current reports from the Berlin Senate Environment Administration, the water flow in several places is only around 50 percent of the long-term average. There has been a particularly dramatic decline at the Borgsdorf gauge in particular - here the values ​​have fallen by almost half. The reason for this is the greatly reduced rainfall of almost a third in the period from February to April, followed by an equally dry May. These deficiencies cause the soil to dry out considerably to a depth of 80 centimeters, which is particularly damaging to urban trees, which are increasingly suffering from drought stress.

The situation is not improving because the water supply in the southern and northeastern peripheral areas is only sufficient from 90 to 100 centimeters. The relevant authorities have already taken action. Collective locks have been arranged at the Spandau, Plötzensee and Schönwalde locks until the end of September in order to manage water regulation. However, these collective sluices can lead to delays and longer waiting times, which further complicates the situation. Benedikt Lux, the environmental policy spokesman for the Greens in the Berlin House of Representatives, has already emphasized the need to find solutions for the water flow of the Spree together with Brandenburg. “We have to take more active action against water waste,” says Lux. He calls, among other things, for more land desealing, better greenery and the construction of retention basins in order to be able to better cope with heavy rain events, such as [rbb24].

Current water levels and warnings

Environment Saxony Regarding the water levels, it is clear that the situation remains worrying. The water level has now exceeded the alarm levels, which affects both the reporting services and the security service. There is currently no risk of flooding, but the situation remains critical. The warnings about local flooding events, which can quickly occur due to heavy rain, remain in effect. The weather services recommend that you take these warnings seriously and contact the reporting centers if necessary, for example via the LHWZ reporting center.

Although the weather phenomena of the last few months are alarming, the causes are diverse. Reports from the Federal Environment Agency shed light on the complex problem of water scarcity in Germany. The combination of climatic conditions, increasing water withdrawals for agriculture and the high water requirements in metropolitan regions are leading to an increasingly strained water balance. Research into sustainable water use strategies is becoming increasingly important, with measures to promote water retention and efficiency essential.

It is clear that there will still be some challenges facing the region in the coming months. Continuing drought and uncertain weather trends reinforce the need to develop long-term strategies for equitable and sustainable water supplies to meet both the needs of the environment and the population. The pressure is growing, and it is up to political decision-makers and stakeholders to quickly put the solutions developed into practice.