Low water still allows boating on Neusiedler See

Boating and swimming remain possible on Neusiedler See, despite the lake’s falling water level, ORF reported on Sunday. The level stood at 115.07 metres above the Adriatic, while the situation for fish was not yet considered critical.

Since April, the water level has declined and was 36 centimetres below the long-term average on Sunday. In 2022, when the steppe lake was particularly dry, the level at the same time was 114.97 metres above the Adriatic. The record low of 114.87 metres was measured in autumn 2022.

The lake relies mainly on winter precipitation. Bettina Zentgraf, the mayor of Mörbisch am See, said conditions had been favourable at the start of the season because the water level was high.

Ferries continue to operate despite the low water, and sailing schools remain open. Robert Capsky, who runs a sailing school in Neusiedl am See, said boats occasionally touched the bottom and could not always lower their centreboard fully.

“As with sailing, we have to adapt to the conditions,” Capsky said. He added that the longer-term outlook would depend on whether the region had a snowy and rainy winter.