GENEVA — Lake Zurich fell to its lowest water level in 75 years on Wednesday as a prolonged drought driven by repeated heatwaves and below-average rainfall lowered water levels in several major Swiss lakes.
Switzerland’s Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) said the country has experienced “a marked drought” since spring, resulting in dry soils and declining surface and groundwater levels.
The agency said the drought has worsened in recent weeks and left many lakes below their average seasonal levels, including Lake Constance, which borders Switzerland, Germany and Austria, and Lake Maggiore, which Switzerland shares with Italy.
Lake Zurich, the country’s sixth-largest lake, recorded a water level of no more than 404.45 meters above sea level Wednesday, according to official measurements. The previous record low stood at 405.46 meters, recorded in 1952.
The lake’s annual mean water level is 405.93 meters, FOEN said.
The unusually low water level has also affected ferry operations. Zurich Lake Ferry, which operates between Horgen and Meilen, warned passengers of restrictions on vehicle loading because of the low water. Heavy trucks and several other types of vehicles are currently barred from crossings.
Lake Maggiore has also faced water shortages. An Italian-Swiss body responsible for regulating the lake’s water level agreed last week to increase the outflow from Lake Lugano into Lake Maggiore after an emergency meeting.
The decision followed concerns from Italy’s environment ministry over critically low water levels in Lake Maggiore and potential effects on rice-growing areas in the regions of Novara, Lomellina and Milan.
Lake Geneva, Switzerland’s largest lake, has remained near its annual average at about 372 meters above sea level. FOEN said river inflows boosted by glacier melt have helped maintain its water level.