The latest news from Eawag

After water is diverted for hydropower, rivers are often left with very little streamflow for nature. A new report provides an overview.

A sudden drop in temperature in Lake Geneva over the Whitsun weekend is leaving swimmers feeling chilly: within a few days, the surface water temperature near the city of Geneva fell by around 8 degrees. This is due to a natural phenomenon that can be observed impressively on the Alplakes platform.

The year 2024 was very warm and very wet, especially in early summer. This led to a welcome replenishment of groundwater reservoirs and record hydropower production, but also to severe flooding. In Bern, the focus was on the further expansion of hydropower and the pollution of water resources by pesticides and the "eternal chemicals" PFAS.

To enhance biodiversity in water and on land, we need high-quality, interconnected natural areas. Here the cooperation of different stakeholders is essential.