The water level of Lake Constance (in German: Bodensee) varies due to natural influences. During the year extreme high and extreme low water levels can occur. The Lake is natural buffer between the Alps and the navigable Rhine. Since the 19th century many studies have been carried out to investigate the technical possibilities to regulate the water level of the Lake in order to reduce the seasonal variability of the water level and to use the available water volume a.o. for flood reduction and increasing the cost-effectiveness of navigation on the Rhine during low flows.
The report is the result of a literature study, assigned by the International Commission for the Hydrology of the Rhine basin (CHR) and carried out by the Technical University Munich (TUM) in which all traceable plans for a technical regulation of Lake Constance have been listed. The TUM has collected, analysed en assessed all sources that can be connected to the regulation of the Lake. Information has been found in scientific articles, internal and public reports and newspaper articles. Assessment of the plans that have been analysed was done for the hydrological effectiveness for flood and low flow reduction, the economic potential for the downstream part of the Rhine, the consequences for the lake shore, the possible profits from hydropower and the social and political implications.
A PDF version of this report is available for download as report No I-26 in our publications section.