Lake Garda Water Levels Stable Amid Restricted Irrigation Withdrawals
In the state of pre-alert regarding the water levels of Lake Garda, which recently prompted interventions by Mayor Cesare Malossini to reduce the daily water withdrawals for irrigational purposes in Mantovano, there are still 13 centimeters remaining, and the situation remains under control: even the Comunità del Garda, as stated yesterday morning by Vice President Vincenzo Ceschini, is effectively doing its part.
Increases in Water Withdrawals and Lake Level
With his efforts, he has secured that the withdrawals from the Salionze dam, which until Tuesday were 22 cubic meters per second, are now reduced to just 12 cubic meters, thereby automatically slowing the rate at which the surface of Benaco decreases.
Yesterday, the level was measured at 63 centimeters above the hydrometric zero at Peschiera. This means that, after decreasing from the average 77 cubic meters withdrawn for field irrigation throughout July and until August 11, to 22 cubic meters applied from August 11 to August 22, Lake Garda’s level has only dropped by 3 centimeters: from 66 on August 11 to 63 recorded yesterday.
Prospects for Stabilization and Issues
Discussing a state of alarm, Dr. Ceschini clarifies, appears somewhat exaggerated; especially since from early September, once the maize cultivation needs, which is currently flowering and still requires significant water quantities for a few more days to complete its maturation cycle, have been met, the withdrawal volume can be further reduced, and the remaining 13 centimeters could be more than enough to reach the first autumn rains.
For now, the issue, according to Dr. Ceschini, mainly concerns landscape considerations: difficulties for public navigation on the lake could begin to emerge, particularly at certain docks, when the margin above the hydrometric zero drops below half a meter.
He clarifies that no one intends to underestimate the landscape aspects of the problem in an area of significant tourist interest, but the figures still permit a certain optimism regarding the overall situation.
Disruption Risks and Preventive Measures
The threshold of 30 centimeters above zero, which would cause uncontrollable disruptions and could be considered a genuine natural disaster, is still quite distant; only an exceptionally prolonged drought period might dangerously bring it closer.
Nevertheless, the Comunità maintains strict oversight of the issue, which will be discussed at the next board meeting.
Waterfowl Colony Situation and Future Interventions
Equal attention is given to the recently raised issue concerning the abnormal increase of waterfowl colonies found along the shores of Trentino’s Garda: since the relationship between the ducks and the cercaria responsible for the phenomenon of «grattarola» (not yet observed this year on the beaches of alta-garda) has been well-established, plans are underway for an autumn basin conference aimed at studying coordinated intervention methods to restore the natural balance.