Shipping blocks dryness: Hafen Dömitz stands still!

Shipping blocks dryness: Hafen Dömitz stands still!

Dömitz, Deutschland - The persistent drought has led to worrying low water levels in the Elbe in northern Germany. The situation is particularly dramatic in the port of Dömitz, Ludwigslust-Parchim district. Current reports from ndr.de confirm that the port had to be closed due to the extremely low water level. Shipping travel is fully set in this section, both towards Hamburg and Wittenberge.

What does that mean for the residents? Harbor master Michael Kirstein makes it clear that there is currently only a canoe from time to time, while larger ships, including sports boats, can no longer navigate. The water levels have reached the lowest point since August 2018, with a forecast water depth of only four centimeters. In the Elbe itself, the average water depth is around two meters, which severely limits shipping. The water protection police are also affected because the boathouse in the port of Dömitz cannot be used.

Follow the drought in Lower Saxony

A look beyond the borders of Dömitz shows that the drought also has dramatic consequences in other regions of Lower Saxony. According to Kreiszeitung.de Lüchow-Dannenberg district almost came to a standstill. The water depth is just 50 centimeters on the "route 9" between Dömitz and Hitzacker, and the water levels in Neu Darchau are also alarming. Here the measurement shows one of the ten lowest values at 83 centimeters, while the average water level should be 2.42 meters.

Additional loads can be felt in the local economy. Harbor master warn of difficulties when booting and extending. Over two thirds of the water levels in Lower Saxony are below the normal value. This development is the result of a dry spring and a low -snow winter, which lacks melting water.

a tense location for shipping

There is also great tension in the general shipping situation. mopo.de reports that shipping above the confluence of the Elbe-Lübeck Canal is almost set. Fischer in the region also expressed concern about the falling water levels and determine a critical oxygen content of the water, especially in the port of Hamburg. The Lower Saxony State of Water Management initially gave the all -clear, but continues to observe the situation.

Sustainable rain is urgently needed to stabilize the water levels in the Elbe. The fishermen in particular are concerned about the effects on the animal world and the local flora, while the hope of opening Czech dams to support the diversification of the Elbe is not yet in sight. Platforms for the exchange of information and possible solutions will be very popular in the coming weeks. The region hopes for rain that is long in coming.