Indicator water

Low-flow events

Low flow or drought refers to water levels and discharge conditions that are significantly below the normal values. Severe low-flow events, which can occur as a result of lengthy periods of low precipitation, have major impacts on aquatic ecosystems. For example, fish fauna can be endangered by falling water levels. Low flows can also affect water use: for example, water shortages can interfere with agricultural irrigation or hydropower production. If the frequency of low-flow events increases, this intensifies competition between the water requirements of ecosystems and consumers.

Assessment of the state
impossible to evaluate impossible to evaluate
Assessment of the trend
impossible to evaluate impossible to evaluate
Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2019: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2018: 15 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2017: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2016: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2015: 2 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2014: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2013: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2012: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2011: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2010: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2009: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2008: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2007: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2006: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2005: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2004: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2003: 10 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2002: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2001: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2000: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1999: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1998: 2 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1997: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1996: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1995: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1994: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1993: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1992: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1991: 2 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1990: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1989: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1988: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1987: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1986: 3 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1985: 6 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1984: 2 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1983: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1982: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1981: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1980: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1979: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1978: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1977: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1976: 5 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1975: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1974: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1973: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1972: 3 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1971: 2.11111111111111 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1970: 1.11764705882353 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1969: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1968: 1.11764705882353 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1967: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1966: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1965: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1964: 4.47058823529412 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1963: 3.35294117647059 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1962: 10.6875 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1961: 3.8 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1960: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1959: 1.72727272727273 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1958: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1957: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1956: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1955: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1954: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1953: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1952: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1951: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1950: 2.11111111111111 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1949: 16.8888888888889 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1948: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1947: 16.8888888888889 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1946: 2.11111111111111 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1945: 6.33333333333333 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1944: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1943: 2 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1942: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1941: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1940: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1939: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1938: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1937: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1936: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (non-Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1935: 0

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Federal Office for the Environment
Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2019: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2018: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2017: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2016: 5 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2015: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2014: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2013: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2012: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2011: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2010: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2009: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2008: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2007: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2006: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2005: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2004: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2003: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2002: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2001: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 2000: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1999: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1998: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1997: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1996: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1995: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1994: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1993: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1992: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1991: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1990: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1989: 2.8125 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1988: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1987: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1986: 2.8125 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1985: 3.75 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1984: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1983: 2.8125 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1982: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1981: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1980: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1979: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1978: 3.75 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1977: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1976: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1975: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1974: 2.8125 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1973: 0.882352941176471 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1972: 9 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1971: 0.882352941176471 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1970: 4.41176470588235 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1969: 2.8125 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1968: 2.8125 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1967: 0.9375 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1966: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1965: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1964: 1.15384615384615 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1963: 6.25 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1962: 6.92307692307692 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1961: 1.15384615384615 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1960: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1959: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1958: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1957: 1 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1956: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1955: 1.66666666666667 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1954: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1953: 5.625 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1952: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1951: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1950: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1949: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1948: 5 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1947: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1946: 6.66666666666667 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1945: 1.66666666666667 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1944: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1943: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1942: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1941: 1.875 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1940: 3.75 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1939: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1938: 3.75 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1937: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1936: 0 Number of low-flow events per year (Alpine discharge measurement stations) 1935: 0

Data for the graph: Excel
Source: Federal Office for the Environment
Comment

At the discharge measurement stations in the Alps, the frequency of low-flow events has tended to fall since the 1970s; previously, there were significantly more years with an above-average number of low-flow events. This development is attributable to the increasingly warmer temperatures in winter, as a result of which less precipitation is retained in the form of snow (i.e. more discharge, less retention), and melting processes occur more frequently. There are no indications of a similar trend at the discharge measurement stations outside the Alps, though a particularly high number of low-water events occurred in 1947, 1949, 1962, 2003 and 2018. In lower-lying catchment areas, low water levels are caused by prolonged dry periods and are normally observed during summer or autumn. It is likely that lengthy dry periods will become more frequent as a result of climate warming.

International comparison

Within the European indicator system maintained by the EEA, NM7Q projections are calculated for the period from 2071 to 2100. Furthermore, trends are reported for the number and severity of river flow drought events in Europe over the period from 1962 to 1990.

Method

The annual minimum discharge levels recorded during 7 consecutive days (NM7Q) were evaluated for 41 permanent FOEN discharge measurement stations where there are no major anthropogenic influences (i.e. no power plants, major withdrawals or releases in the catchment area). An annual minimum discharge is defined as a low-water event if its flow rate is lower than the NM7Q10 flow calculated for the station (NM7Q10 flow = level below which discharge only falls statistically every 10 years). Data are evaluated separately for discharge measurement stations in and outside the Alps.

 
Last updated on: 05.02.2024

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