Environment Minister - Backhaus: slight relaxation in MV's water balance
After years of sometimes considerable precipitation deficits, there are signs of improvement in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in 2023, according to Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD). In particular, the rain and snow of recent months has led to "a slight relaxation in the overall water balance after a long time". Water levels have risen significantly throughout the state, the minister announced in Schwerin on Wednesday. Precipitation levels were above the long-term average.
Smaller catchment areas reacted much faster and more strongly to persistent rainfall. This could already lead to typical seasonal flooding. "However, we do not currently see an acute flood risk," Backhaus emphasized. The Elbe, for example, had carried so little water until recently that it was now well able to drain both the large amounts of precipitation and the melting snow. In contrast to the current situation in southern Germany, there is currently no danger to built-up areas. In addition, the flood protection systems on the Elbe and Peene are in good condition, as the dyke inspections in October showed.
According to Backhaus, the lakes in the state have the water levels typical and targeted for the time of year. "With a water level of 109 centimetres at the Werderbrücke gauge, Lake Schwerin has already reached the management target for January," the Minister noted. On the Müritz, the water level at Waren is only two centimetres below the target for December. However, it is still almost 30 centimetres short of the 220-centimetre reservoir target for April. However, many standing waters in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are still clearly marked by the past dry periods. In Western Pomerania in particular, the water levels of the lakes are still well below the target values.
There is also a slightly positive trend for groundwater. In the upper aquifers, the long-term average values have been reached or exceeded. However, the lower-lying aquifers still show values well below the long-term average. "The reaction times of the aquifers here are very long, so it may take many months before average water levels are reached again," explained Backhaus.
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- The recent weather patterns in Western Pomerania, a region in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, have been a concern for the local government, as the lakes in the area still have not reached their targeted water levels due to persistent dry periods.
- Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) mentioned that despite the heavy rain and snow this year, some agrarian areas in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are still affected by the weather conditions of the past, causing concerns.
- The flood risk in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is currently not acute, according to Backhaus, even though smaller catchment areas have already experienced seasonal flooding due to the heavy rain.
- The Elbe river, which has historically carried little water, is now able to drain the recent precipitation and melting snow without posing a threat to built-up areas, thanks to the maintenance of the flood protection systems.
- Till Backhaus highlighted that the weather improvement in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern this year has resulted in a slight relaxation in the overall water balance, which is a positive sign for the environment and the local community.
- The SPD politician emphasized that while some parts of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have seen improvement in water levels, Western Pomerania still lags behind in achieving its targeted water levels, indicating the need for continued monitoring and potential water conservation efforts.
- The current weather situation in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offers an opportunity for relaxation and enjoyment of the natural environment, as people can take advantage of the improved water conditions to engage in outdoor activities.
Source: www.stern.de
