Lake Garda Water Levels: Regulations, Records, and Recent Floods

Until 1951, Lake Garda had a natural outflow. Since the construction of the Salionze dam, which regulates discharges toward the Mincio River, specific criteria were also established to determine the seasonal levels of the lake.

Seasonal Levels and Regulations

“The current regulations,” explains Professor Alessandro Muraca, “were established in 1984 by the ministerial commission of public works for the regulation of Lake Garda’s water levels” and specify: a maximum level of 140 centimeters above the hydrometric zero (set at the Porta Verona hydrometer in Peschiera, which is 63.03 meters above sea level) in April; a maximum summer level (between May and August) of 135 centimeters; an autumn maximum (from September 10 to November 10) of 80 centimeters, and an absolute minimum level of 15 centimeters above the hydrometric zero.

“For some time now, however, since water extraction from the Mincio to allow for irrigation activities during the summer months risked leaving the lake too low during the tourist season—which in some cases caused docking problems for ferries and brought sewage discharges near beaches,” explains Muraca, “a compromise has been maintained to keep the winter level of Lake Garda above the initially stipulated 80 centimeters by the commission.” The flooding this year, with cellars flooded and limit levels still maintained days after the meteorological emergency, nonetheless has historical precedents that are considerably worse.

Historical Measurements and Records

The source is always Professor Alessandro Muraca: the record since measurements began was on July 2, 1879, when Garda exceeded the hydrometric zero by two meters and 36 centimeters.

Since the Mori Torbole spillway has been operational and due to its use, the highest levels reached were two meters and 20 centimeters in September 1965 and one meter and 80 centimeters in November 1966.