Branitzer Park in the stress test: How much water does the future need?

Branitzer Park in the stress test: How much water does the future need?

Im Branitzer Park, one of the most scenic systems in Germany, has been an unusual test since Saturday. The Fürst-Pückler-Museum Park and Branitz Castle initiated a stress test for the park's waters, with the aim of checking the future water supply to the historical water landscape. This test is particularly important to better understand the needs of the park in times of climate change and the upcoming coal phase -out.

The evaluation of the water levels will show how a decline in the water level affects up to 25 centimeters on the artificial lakes and their communities. These lakes, which have existed since the 19th century, are not only an attractive feature of the park landscape, but also of great ecological importance. Among other things, they are fed by the Spree, the water management of which is strongly influenced by various factors such as the coal phase -out.

water shortage as a challenge

Ingolf Arnold, a hydrologist from Wasser-Cluster-Lausitz e.V., is responsible for coordinating the test. He emphasizes the urgency of this measure. The accelerated changes in the landscape due to mining and the unstoppable effects of climate change present the water resources of the park with great challenges. The results of the stress test are intended to obtain concrete data on the water use and the conditions of maintenance of the Branitz Park.

Since 2020, the foundation has been investigating the water management effects that result from the coal phase -out and the already noticeable consequences of climate change. The aim of this extensive analysis is to find out how the park can continue to exist under adverse weather conditions and which measures may have to be taken to preserve the natural beauty and the biological diversity of the system.

The need for such tests is increasingly urgent in the region, since the combination of rising temperatures, changed precipitation patterns and falling water levels in rivers such as the Spree threatens not only the flora and fauna, but also the cultural heirs such as Branitzer Park. The course and the results of the current test, which is prepared and intensively monitored by the Foundation, are therefore of great importance for future landscape maintenance.

A detailed view of the current situation and other developments can be found in the article on www.rbb24.de can be read.