Neusiedler See hits its lowest water level since 1965

The Neusiedler See lake reached a record-low water level on Thursday, measuring 114.891 metres above the Adriatic, ORF Burgenland reported. The previous comparable low was in 2022, when the level stood one centimetre higher, at 114.9 metres.

The lake is about half a metre below its long-term average and almost a metre below the high recorded in 2014. Its water level is developing in a similar way to 2022, Christian Sailer, head of water management at the Burgenland state government, recently told APA.

Rain in recent weeks brought only a few millimetres of precipitation, too little to make a difference to the lake. Sailer said there was hope that the lake, the salt pans and groundwater levels would recover over the winter.

The lake responds quickly to rainfall, with its water level rising rapidly after rain. Groundwater recovery is slower, and levels are currently low. Streams and rivers are also affected by low water and are waiting for rain.