Overview
- Measurements at the Konstanz gauge in late May show the lake around 305–315 cm, roughly 66–77 cm below the long‑term average and only a few centimetres above historical late‑May minima.
- The Landesanstalt für Umwelt Baden‑Württemberg and other agencies point to a sharply below‑average Alpine snowpack plus drier spring months that have left the Alpine Rhine, the lake’s main inflow, carrying less water than usual.
- Commercial and tourist navigation has already been adjusted with some landings moved or closed, the Untersee route suspended, and marinas and boat rentals operating at reduced capacity.
- Shallow shores and exposed mudflats are disrupting breeding habitat for waterbirds such as coots and great crested grebes, which may skip or reduce nesting this season and face higher predation risk for nests built on mud.
- Managers say public drinking‑water withdrawals remain secure because they take a small share of inflow, but they warn only widespread, prolonged rain across the basin—not just short‑term snowmelt—will produce a sustained recovery.