Too low, too warm

The water level from Lower Lake Constance has currently reached a minimal low (for July) since records began. The reasons are clear: the warm weather, the lack of rain and the winter with relatively little snow in the Alps.  Even in the summer of the century in 2003, the water level was higher (see link to follow the history of water levels).

The lake level cannot be regulated. In an average summer, 600 cubic meters of water/second flow over the Rhine Falls. Currently it is only about 260 cubic meters.

Worse for nature are the rising water temperatures, especially for the temperature sensitive fish. The graylings in the Rhine are the first to be affected. Currently the temperature is 24.6 degrees, from 25 degrees the fish are in mortal danger and the lethal limit is 26 degrees. In cooler stream mouths, retreat areas for the fish have already been dredged.