Swiss-French Brenet Lake dries up amid severe drought

Lake Brenet, a long, winding lake on the Swiss‑French border, has nearly dried out as a prolonged drought slashes water inflow from the Doubs River. Water levels are more than nine metres below the long‑term average and are falling about 22 centimetres each day. MeteoSwiss reports that since April the region has received only about half of its usual rainfall, and three successive heat waves have compounded the shortage. The situation mirrors the worst dry spells recorded in 1976, 2003 and 2018, and forecasts predict below‑average precipitation to persist at least until mid‑August.

The collapse of the lake has crippled local tourism. Boat operator Yvan Durig (owner of Societe de Navigation des Brenets) has been forced to lay off staff and fears a full‑year loss as tourist vessels sit stranded on the exposed lakebed. Dozens of boats, including the tourist launch "Džambo," are beached, and the nearby So de Dub waterfall has also run dry. Residents and operators describe the rapid succession of droughts as an unprecedented phenomenon.

The drought also leaves the Doubs River with very low flow, further limiting the lake’s ability to refill. Local authorities and businesses are monitoring the situation as the region endures its second extreme heat wave of the summer.