Lake Garda Levels Stable Amid Ongoing Inflows Despite No Recent Rainfall

Lake Garda remains at the level reached in the middle of last week, despite the fact that rainfall has ceased for a couple of days now across the entire Sarca catchment basin.

Yesterday, according to the Garda Community, which continuously monitors the water level, the Peschiera hydrometer registered 172 meters, and between Sunday night and Monday there was an oscillation between 171 and 173 meters.

The Salionze dam consistently discharges 190 cubic meters per second, which is the maximum technically possible given the plant’s size.

Po River situation and lake levels

The Po River continues to receive water without issues, which is a positive development.

As of yesterday, Trentino was releasing a total of 121 cubic meters per second into the lake: this includes the entire Sarca flow, Molveno-Santa Massenza, plus what the river transports from Sarche onward, and the contribution from Lake Ledro-Ponale, which has decreased compared to the 20 cubic meters per second reached during the peak flood days of the lake.

Currently, the outflow through the Ponale power plant has been reduced, despite the alarmingly high levels of Ledro, especially concerning the town of Pieve.

Always according to Enel data, 19 cubic meters per second are released from the Gargnano power plant and the Valvestino reservoir, bringing the total to 140 cubic meters per second.

Water flow and future outlook

Since the lake level is not decreasing, it indicates that the runoff from the slopes and the aquifers continues to add roughly fifty cubic meters per second.

The Mincio cannot evacuate more water than it is receiving.

Therefore, there are no alternatives: we must wait for the overall inflow to decrease further before Lake Garda levels start to recede.