Austrian lakes drop to historic lows amid record-breaking heatwave

Following record-breaking temperatures across Austria, severe heat and prolonged drought are now straining the country's water resources. Thermometers at the Vienna-Stammersdorf weather station reached a historic high of 41 °C on Tuesday, surpassing the previous record of 40.5 °C set in 2013.

The sustained extreme conditions have caused water levels in several key lakes to plunge. Lake Constance recorded its lowest August level on record, while Lake Neusiedl remains near historical lows. Although national municipal representatives emphasize that public drinking water supplies remain generally secure, groundwater levels are low, prompting local authorities to issue voluntary conservation appeals and occasional usage restrictions for activities like pool filling and lawn watering.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Presse, ORF