Critical water level: Bautzen lowers dam water for construction work

Critical water level: Bautzen lowers dam water for construction work

In recent months, the Bautzen dam has been struggling with a steady decline in water levels. Loud MDR The water level has fallen continuously since April, with one exception: July. An alarm signal was raised in August because the water level was four meters below the target. The reasons for this are complex and lie in the low inflows and the high water withdrawals in the lower reaches of the reservoir.

Those responsible are now concerned with keeping the infrastructure in good condition. The reduced storage capacity will be used to examine the structural condition of the Oehna pre-dam intake structure. This work has been planned for a long time, and it is now clear that the current water level gives it additional benefit. Lowering the water level is necessary because the water level in the dam is to be reduced by one meter by the end of September and even by three meters in the Oehna pre-dam.

Technical reviews

This work is carried out carefully with teams of divers who inspect the submerged components. Expected completion is scheduled for the end of October. The latest report from Environment Saxony documents how critical the situation is: today the water level is only 62 cm, while the flow is recorded at 0.872 m³/s. Alert levels have been issued showing that a water level of 200cm is set as the first warning level.

Daily measurements in water management are crucial. A look at the latest values ​​shows that many measurements fluctuate around 61 to 65 cm. A sophisticated system, such as the FloodEarlyWarningSystem (FEWS), which has been in operation since 2015, ensures precise monitoring. The Dam control center processes around 3.5 gigabytes of data every day, taking our water management to a new level of efficiency.

outlook

The coming weeks will show how the situation develops. The timely evaluation of the collected data and the ongoing inspections of the structures are essential to ensure that the dam remains stable in the future. In view of climate change and the increasing demands on water management, every step is well planned. It remains to be hoped that the weather conditions will soon make a positive contribution to easing the situation.

By keeping a close eye on developments around the Bautzen dam, we protect ourselves and ensure that water resources are managed responsibly. After all, it's not just about the water reservoir itself, but also about the quality of life in our region.