Obtaining water monitoring data
Options for obtaining FOEN monitoring data on Swiss rivers, lakes and groundwater.
The FOEN surveys a number of parameters on Swiss rivers, lakes and groundwater. Current and specific historical data can be viewed on line, while other data can be ordered as needed or received by SMS or file transfer protocol.
Hydrological data: watercourses and lakes
Receive the latest hydrological data
The current hydrological data (raw data) from the FOEN automatic gauging stations on Swiss watercourses and lakes are published in the app “Meine Pegel”. It is also possible to receive the data via the Linked Data Service LINDAS or via SMS.
Charts and data tables from previous weeks
Charts with hydrometric data from the previous 40 days and data tables from the current year can be viewed on the FOEN's hydro data portal. Older data can also be found in Switzerland's hydrological yearbooks, which can be ordered in a hardcover version and are also available in PDF format.
Hydrological Data Service for watercourses and lakes
Historical data from hydrometric stations on Swiss watercourses and lakes can be ordered from the Hydrological Data Service.
Hydrological Yearbook of Switzerland
The Hydrological Yearbook of Switzerland is published by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and gives an overview of the hydrological situation in Switzerland. It shows the changes in water levels and discharge rates of lakes, rivers and groundwater and provides information on water temperatures and the physical and chemical properties of the principal rivers in Switzerland. Most of the data is derived from FOEN surveys.
The editions from previous years can be downloaded as PDF files. These documents are linked below the current edition.
Hydrological Yearbook of Switzerland 2024 (Summary)
Discharge, water level and water quality of Swiss water bodies
Older hydrological yearbooks: This publication, which first appeared in 1917, has been continually adapted to meet changing needs and to reflect the introduction of new data-processing tools. The Yearbooks can be ordered from the FOEN, and the editions produced since 1996 are also available online in PDF format.
Older editions from 1978 onwards can be ordered at hydrologie@bafu.admin.ch. Price per volume: CHF 60 to 85.
100 Jahre Hydrologisches Jahrbuch der Schweiz: Das Hydrologische Jahrbuch im Wandel der Zeit: Formate und Inhalte der Publikation von den Anfangsjahren bis heute.
Groundwater data
Analyses and statistics from the National Groundwater Monitoring Network (NAQUA) are published on the Internet:
Groundwater quantity and quality data from individual NAQUA monitoring sites, as well as data on isotopes in the water cycle, can be obtained, upon request, by writing to the following e-mail address:
Water quality data on watercourses
The results of the National River Monitoring and Survey Programme (NADUF) are published on the Internet. Data series on individual parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, oxygen) can be obtained (see above) from the FOEN's Hydrological Data Service.
Long-term chemical data series from the NADUF monitoring network can also be downloaded from the EAWAG Web site: