Drought Leaves Swiss Border Lake Popular with Tourists All but Drained

Lake Brenets, a popular tourist destination on the Swiss-French border, is virtually drained and has been unnavigable for over a week. The prolonged drought gripping Europe has severely impacted the lake, which is usually bustling with campers, swimmers, and canoeists during the summer. Three boat companies typically ferry thousands of tourists across it each season, but this year, the lake is deserted.

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It's hitting us hard because we're powerless in the face of this phenomenon.

Water levels in the River Doubs, which feeds the lake, have fallen sharply after months of scant rainfall and three successive heatwaves. Dozens of boats are stranded on the cracked mud. Yvan Durig, owner of Societe de Navigation des Brenets, told Reuters the situation is hitting his business hard, forcing him to lay off his team and worry about an annual loss. Water levels are more than 9 meters below average and continue to drop.

MeteoSuisse reports rainfall has been about half of usual levels since April, comparing this year's drought to some of the country's worst in 1976, 2003, and 2018. Long-term forecasts suggest below-normal rainfall will persist until mid-August. Durig noted that while the lake has seen droughts before, their frequency has increased dramatically. "These droughts are occurring in rapid succession, something we've never seen before," he said.

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These droughts are occurring in rapid succession, something we've never seen before.

The lake's remaining water is murky, confining fish to a thin central ribbon. The Saut de Doubs waterfall, which flows out of the lake, has also nearly dried up. Local resident Martial Beyeler expressed sadness, recalling the lake's former beauty when water flowed, describing it as an "idyllic, wonderful place."

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It’s so beautiful when there’s water, when it’s flowing. It’s an idyllic, wonderful place. It makes me sad to see the place like this.