Climate conditions - Rising water levels on Lake Constance enhance the likelihood of flooding.
Following recent days of rainfall, Lake Constance's water level has noticedably risen. The Baden-Württemberg High Water Forecasting Center reported that Konstanz's water level passed the five-meter mark on Monday. In response, the city of Konstanz closed off its shore paths as a preventative measure on Sunday.
In Gottlieben, a Swiss Bodensee community located near Kreuzlingen in the canton of Thurgau, the lake road was overwhelmed with water. Water had also infiltrated local buildings, as per their announcement. Meanwhile, Bregenz, a city in Austria by Lake Constance, took measures by installing concrete breakwaters along the shore as a precaution.
The water level reached 5.06 meters in Konstanz on Monday. Previously, it stood at 4.90 meters and even lower at 4.20 meters before that. A representative of Konstanz City Utilities explained that ferries require container ballast when the water level reaches approximately 5.20 meters. This will enable the ferries to sink deeper into the water. Not all of the ferries will be impacted, but only the older ones.
Ports in Konstanz were filled with containers, preparatory to the potential need. "We'll have to wait and see how high the water will get," they stated. All vehicles could safely board the ferry on Monday, but the ramps were still too steep due to the higher water level, making it impossible for low-lying cars to be transported. The municipalities are expecting a slight improvement in conditions over the coming days.
Official statement on high water situation in Gottlieben Announcement about water levels in Konstanz City of Konstanz on flood risk
