Swiss rivers and lakes hit record low water levels amid prolonged drought
Switzerland's northern Alpine waterways are experiencing unusually low flows, with the Rhine carrying less water than during the previous heat wave and Lake Zurich reaching its lowest level since 1951.
A persistent high-pressure system is keeping rain scarce across the north side of the Alps, worsening drought conditions that have reduced river and lake volumes. The Rhine's current discharge is below the levels recorded in the hot summer of recent years. Hydrological monitoring stations report new low-water records, and Lake Zurich has fallen to its deepest historic low since 1951.
Why it matters
Diminished water flow threatens Swiss ecosystems, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation.
In this story
droughtlow waterRhineLake ZurichSwitzerlandhydrological stationshigh pressureSeptember
