Alarming water losses: Austria's rivers dry out!

Alarming water losses: Austria's rivers dry out!

Vorarlberg, Österreich - In order to shed light on the drastic changes in the amount of water in Austria's rivers, Greenpeace has made a comprehensive analysis. This comprises 18 rivers whose amount of water has been examined since 1977. The results show that in 15 out of 18 rivers the amount of water in the summer months from 2000 to 2022 is on average less than in the comparison years from 1977 to 1999. The regions of Vorarlberg and Burgenland are particularly affected, in which water losses of up to 41% were recorded. On average, the Danube leads so little water that it could be filled with the entire Mur, according to the alarming numbers of [ots] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250702_ots0001/Greenpeace datenanalysis-water quantity-in-oesterreichs-fluesse-Seit-1977-Stark-Grafik).

The detailed analysis includes over 78,000 measured values ​​that analyze the summer months from July to September. Of the 18 rivers examined, the Strem recorded the highest losses in Burgenland with an average of 41% and the Pinka with 25% less water. The Lech in Tyrol and Vorarlberg and the Rhine in Vorarlberg also have significant declines of 16% and 12% each. In recent years, the lowest amounts of water per summer month have also deteriorated: the Pinka has dropped by up to 58% and 30%. The Ill and the Rhine also lead significantly less water in dry times than Orf.

background and causes of the water loss

The causes of this concern for concern are complex: experts emphasize that not only the precipitation, but also evaporation plays a crucial role. In the past 40 years, evaporation in Austria has increased by 17%, which, in combination with climate change, drought and extreme weather, leads to a significant decline in the amount of water. In 2024, the temperature in Austria was around 3.1 degrees above the pre -industrial level, which further exacerbates the situation. These changes affect not only the environment, but also have an impact on agriculture, drinking water supply as well as shipping and hydropower, such as [Greenkama] (https://www.greenkama.org/klimawandel-und-wasser resources/).

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Thomas Hein warns of the negative effects on the living world of the rivers. The increasing water temperatures could affect water quality. Algae growth under these conditions represents another problem. Greenpeace therefore demands that water minister Norbert Totschnig take rapid measures to protect the rivers and the water balance. This includes the introduction of a transparency register for water withdrawals as well as an ambitious water strategy and faster renaturation projects. This is the only way to guarantee ecological stability.

measures and future prospects

The EU aims to bring at least 20% of the ecosystems into a natural state by 2030. The need for sustainable water management and adaptation strategies is becoming more and more urgent. The Ministry of Climate is planning the introduction of the Ordinance on Water Execution by 2026, while a study to analyze the effects of the climate crisis on water management in cooperation with scientists is in the works.

The effects of these developments are not only noticeable at the local level, but also have far -reaching social and economic implications. Water management becomes one of the key challenges of the 21st century, and it is essential that both politicians and citizens actively deal with the topic.