Hesse: In the Edersee, the water is scarce: level below 20 percent

Due to the drought of the past few weeks, the water level in the Edersee is extremely low.

Hesse: In the Edersee, the water is scarce: level below 20 percent

Due to the drought of the past few weeks, the water level in the Edersee is extremely low. This has consequences for shipping and tourism.

Waldeck/Verden (dpa/lhe) - If you currently want to take a refreshing dip in the Edersee, you first have to cross a sandy and rocky desert before you can reach the cool water. Because the persistent drought causes the level of the largest reservoir in Hesse to drop further and further, exposing the shore. The body of water is currently only one-fifth full. Some leisure activities are therefore currently no longer possible - and that shortly after the start of the summer holidays.

"The surf school closed a few days ago. Passenger shipping is only possible to a limited extent. The same applies to boat rental," says Claus Günther, Managing Director of Edersee Marketing GmbH. There hasn't been a wave of cancellations so far, but the attraction of the lake is noticeably decreasing. "We notice a lower level of popularity, especially among day visitors." This also affects the surrounding leisure activities such as the climbing park and the mountain railway.

The fill level of the Edersee is around 19 percent, says Jens Köhne from the Waterways and Shipping Office (WSA) Weser. The office is responsible for the management of the Edertalsperre in the North Hessian district of Waldeck-Frankenberg, which can dam 200 million cubic meters of water with its 48 meter high dam. According to data from the WSA, it was just over 37 million cubic meters of water.

The water of the Edersee is used to regulate the Weser and the Mittelland Canal. Normally, 30 cubic meters of water per second are released. If the level slips below the 40 million cubic meter mark, as is currently the case, the minimum delivery volume is reduced to six cubic meters per second. This has consequences for the Upper Weser: "Due to the low level, commercial and leisure shipping is currently no longer possible there," explains Köhne.

Because of the drought, the fee had to be curtailed early this summer, he explains. In order to ease the situation, it takes a lot and longer rain. But that is not in sight. "If no rain falls, the level will continue to drop," predicts Köhne. If the critical mark of 20 million cubic meters of water is reached, the levy will be further reduced. "Then only what flows in will be released," explains Köhne. This has ecological reasons and serves, for example, to protect the fish.

The low water level is not only a problem for shipping. The Edersee is a tourist magnet. Low water has been a problem for residents for years. The mood is currently at its lowest point, says Winfried Geisler from the Eder-Diemel Regional Association (RVED), an advocacy group for municipalities, water sports enthusiasts, hoteliers and restaurateurs. About the low water, he says: "After 2018, 2019 and 2020, this is happening for the fourth time in the past five years. It's just too much. The region can't handle it."

In the water sports area, cancellations hail. Boats would have to be brought ashore at the start of the holiday so that they do not run aground. The gastronomy is also suffering. "The damage is in the millions."

"Climate change has hit us hard in recent years," says Günther. "The Edersee used to be the largest swimming pool in Hesse. That is no longer reflected." This is a problem, especially now in the main holiday season, and is affecting tourism. After all, many guests come because of the Edersee, of which there is currently not much to see.

Another side effect of the low water is both an attraction and a warning signal: as a result of the drought, the so-called "Edersee Atlantis" appears earlier than usual. Günther reports that the remains of three abandoned villages on the bottom of the lake were usually only visible in September or October. This year, structures are already coming to light that are very rarely seen - such as a mini model of the Edersee dam.

In view of the tense situation, RVED calls for a change in water management. "Water withdrawals should be limited to the minimum delivery quantity from July 15 to August 15 of a year, provided that the mark of 125 million cubic meters in the Edersee has then been undercut," Geisler explains the so-called "Haltlinie 125 concept" of the association.

The aim is to decide on such a measure in agreement with Schifffahrt Oberweser. Because: "Ignoring the climatic changes and continuing like this is unacceptable, especially since it is to be expected that the climatic trend will continue". Nothing can be saved for 2022, says Geisler. "But it's all the more important to have a perspective for the next few years."

Edersee Marketing GmbH is also trying to do this. Günther explains that the company has not only been relying on the lake for years, but has been marketing the region as a whole. A certification process for a quality hiking region is currently in progress. The cycling infrastructure will also be expanded. With success: "We are seeing an increase in guests in these areas."