Water level of Lake Neuchâtel close to critical limit
Published: Saturday, Dec 16th 2023, 14:30
Updated At: Saturday, Dec 16th 2023, 14:30
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The water level of Lake Neuchâtel rose again slightly on Saturday to 430.39 meters. This is only one centimeter below the critical level of 430.40 meters. Thanks to the outflow from Lake Biel, however, the situation should normalize sooner than expected.
Nevertheless, the lake should reach the critical threshold of 430.40 meters during the course of the day, as Denis Froidevaux, head of the cantonal command staff of the canton of Vaud, told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Saturday. However, due to the accelerated outflow from Lake Biel, a return to normality is expected as early as Tuesday.
The floods on the shores of Lake Vaud have not yet caused any damage to infrastructure or buildings. Lake Neuchâtel is also unlikely to reach the 430.71 meter mark, as in the 2021 floods.
Although the lake overflowed its banks in Yverdon VD in particular, the mobile barriers "stood up to the requirements", said Froidevaux. In addition, the breeze did not play a role.
Lake Murten is already receding
Lake Murten already receded by two centimetres to 430.39 meters on Saturday. According to Froidevaux, a significant drop will occur on Sunday morning. Lake Biel, which had reached a record level in the middle of the week, fell to 429.75 meters and thus below the alarm threshold again.
The fall in water levels in the Three Lakes region is a consequence of a decision taken by the cantons of Bern, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Vaud, Solothurn and Aargau on Thursday. They had agreed to gradually increase the outflow from the Port dam (BE) below Lake Biel. The dam serves to regulate the lakes at the southern foot of the Jura.
As a result, the water levels of Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten will fall more quickly and their ability to absorb water volumes in the event of further precipitation will increase. Lake Biel is now also expected to return to normal sooner than initially anticipated.
Swimming is not recommended
Lake Geneva still had a water level of 372.6 meters on Saturday. According to Froidevaux, the alert level should be lowered from the current 3 to 2 by late Sunday afternoon.
Nevertheless, the person responsible advises against winter swimming. On Saturday, thousands of daredevils should have plunged into the Bay of Geneva for the traditional Christmas swim.
In addition, the recent storms have not only affected the water levels and currents, but also the water quality. This is because heavy rainfall overloads the wastewater treatment plants, which leads to wastewater flowing into the lakes.
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