Lake Constance water level hits historic lows amid drought

Boating holidays on Lake Constance are proving difficult this year, as water levels drop to near-record lows. The lake, which straddles the Swiss-German border, is seeing huge reductions in depth due to prolonged dry weather and minimal Alpine snowmelt.

The western section, known as the Untersee, has seen levels not witnessed since April 1972, and further decline is expected. In the upper lake, waters sit 40cm below average, similar to levels last recorded in 1996.

Unlike most Swiss lakes, Constance is not regulated by dams, leaving areas like Mannenbach harbour completely dried out.