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Low water levels in the Harz: How drought is affecting our dams!
Low rainfall in the Harz leads to lower filling levels in the dams, but the drinking water supply remains secure.
Low water levels in the Harz: How drought is affecting our dams!
The current situation of water supply in the Harz does not cause those responsible for the Harz waterworks to be particularly worried. Although dam levels have fallen to 54 percent due to a disappointingly dry spring and summer, that's no cause for panic compared to the usual 68 percent at this time of year. The Harz waterworks supply a large part of Lower Saxony with drinking water, and the current situation has no impact on the region's drinking water supply NDR reported.
The months of February to May as well as August and September were particularly affected by drought. Some places have recorded record levels of rainfall that occurred during this time. Despite the falling levels, operators emphasize that the level is not considered “dramatically low.” For the coming months they are hoping for an average winter that could bring sufficient rainfall. However, if the drought continues, there could be reduced water release to the connected rivers.
Deep insights and current data
The Harzwasserwerke would like to make it easier for the public to obtain information about the water supply. The website provides current data on water levels and precipitation. According to the website, access is designed to be barrier-free, even though there is no legal requirement to do so. The Harz waterworks have clear accessibility goals to make the information even more accessible:
- Klar verständliche Sprache
- Gut lesbare Schriftgrößen und Kontraste
- Strukturiertes Layout für einfache Orientierung
However, it may happen that some content is not yet completely accessible. Improvements are ongoing and feedback is always welcome.
The dry months also have an impact on the flora in the region: many plants do not get enough water, which could have long-term consequences. Even if there are currently no dramatic bottlenecks, it remains to be seen how the weather conditions in winter will affect the groundwater supply and the dams in the Harz.