Low Lake Constance level leaves Bregenz boat hire with pedal boats

Low water levels on Lake Constance have forced a boat hire service in Bregenz to stop renting out electric boats, ORF reported. Customers can currently use only pedal boats, which require their own muscle power.

The lake is about 20 centimetres deep in Bregenz Bay, according to boat operator Cindy Morscher-Feurstein. Customers can currently walk from one boat to another at the rental site. Some electric boats are already resting on the lakebed, risking damage to their propellers and drives. Seaweed and sand are also getting into the drives.

At the usual start of the season in late March or early April, the water level often means operators can initially offer only pedal boats. But Morscher-Feurstein said this was the first time that had happened in August.

The situation is causing major financial losses because the business depends on the summer season. Morscher-Feurstein said prolonged heavy rain could help, but none was expected. If the lake level falls further, the Bregenz boat rental service could temporarily close altogether.

The Feurstein boat rental company has moved its electric boats to Hard. They can still operate there because the rental service is located in the inland basin. However, the water level is also falling in Hard, leaving the duration of operations uncertain.

Feurstein is the only boat rental provider on Vorarlberg’s shore of Lake Constance. The low water level is also putting larger vessels under pressure. If it falls further, scheduled passenger boats could face difficulties in Bregenz harbour.