The situation in the Harz mountains is more critical than ever! Not only have forests suffered from the dry summer, but water levels in the dams are dangerously low as well.
That’s why the experts declared the red alert. The water supply is still secured, but without further measures a catastrophe could occur in the Harz.
Harz sets negative records
Lower Saxony was happy with a hot summer with little rain, but now has to suffer the consequences. Due to the lack of rainfall, however, the dikes in the Harz experience correspondingly low levels. As a result, groundwater continues to fall. Consequently, the Harzwasserwerke has to prepare for a continuation of the dry spell.
“This year we have set some records again,” says Marie Kleine, spokesperson for Harzwasserwerke. “2022 has been the warmest of our records so far, with a current average temperature of 10.2 degrees Celsius until the end of November at our Obertalsperre measuring station.” states 7.4 degrees Celsius.
“And at our precipitation measuring station in Torfhaus, combined with the average conditions, almost an annual amount of precipitation has been missing since 2018,” Kleine continues. The consequences: lowering of the groundwater level. As below-average rainfall is also expected for the Harz region in the coming weeks, the experts are now announcing the red alert. “Our supply of around two million people is secured for the next few months, but we have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, a continuation of the drought,” clarifies the Harzwasserwerke spokeswoman.
The resin must react
New measures have already been taken in case next year will be another dry year. Maik Uhlen, head of the water management department, says: “We have slightly increased the drinking water production at the Söse and Ecker dams aqueduct in order to relieve that of the Grane and thus make optimal use of our resources.” are possible. “In addition, from the end of the week we will regulate the submarine loading of the Okertalsperre in consultation with the dam supervisory authority of the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal Protection and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) via a special operating plan and reduce the underwater charge to a reasonable level,” explains Uhlen.
If the situation worsens, more dams could follow. Furthermore, there are still measures that are already in preparation. After all, “dams are uniquely suited to mitigating the effects of climate change,” says Kleine. “Not only are they potable water reservoirs that fill up when it rains and provide flood protection for Lower Saxony, but their water also keeps the Vorharz river systems high and flowing deep into Lower Saxony even in particularly dry periods. These droughts are becoming more frequent due to climate change.”
Other topics:
Due to the recurring extreme drought and shifting rainfall, the Harzwasserwerke have to adapt to the growing challenges. In order to be able to counteract the effects of climate change in the best possible way in the future, the supply network would also have to be adapted to the new challenges. The researchers are therefore now investigating the Harz mountains and want to discover new opportunities to exploit additional water resources.
