Wupperverband cuts water release to 3,000 L/s amid drought

The Wupperverband has reduced the water discharge from the Wuppertal reservoirs to about 3,000 liters per second at the Kluserbrücke gauge, down from the usual 3,500 L/s. The 14‑15 % cut, described as a “low‑water increase” (Niedrigwasseraufhöhung), is intended to conserve remaining water supplies during an ongoing dry period and is scheduled to remain in effect until 30 September 2026.

The measure follows several months of below‑average precipitation since the start of the water‑management year on 1 November 2025. At the Bever reservoir the water level fell to 33 % of capacity, while the Bevertalsperre retained about 66 %. Over 111 days the reservoirs have already supplied roughly 29 million m³ of water to support the Wupper River, keeping a minimum flow of around 18 cm at the gauge instead of the usual 21 cm.

The Wupperverband will continue to monitor the impact of the reduced flow on water quality and the river ecosystem, adjusting the operation of the Wupper‑ and Bever‑reservoirs as needed.