Baltic Sea rescue in danger: Highest water level in 100 years!

Baltic Sea rescue in danger: Highest water level in 100 years!

Summer is in full swing, but the Baltic Sea is showing its unusually high side. As the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) reports, the water is currently at an extraordinary level. At the Landsort water gauge station, one of the region's central measuring stations, the highest water level since the beginning of the century was recorded in June. The combination of persistent westerly winds and low pressure systems that prevailed in May and June led to this strong “pre-filling” of the Baltic Sea basin. “There’s something going on,” you could say, because the beaches on Usedom and also in Binz on Rügen have now largely disappeared. The stairs from the pier simply end in the water.

A look at the numbers shows an interesting development: We normally expect floods in autumn and winter, while spring and early summer are known for lower water levels. The fact that the Baltic Sea now acts like a bathtub has so far been little documented by experts. The westerly winds push the water into the Baltic Sea area, while the outflow towards Kattegat is blocked. This creates a situation in which moderate wind conditions can generate surprisingly high water levels, which the BSH notes in its analyses.

Hydrological reports and temperature measurements

Monthly reports are produced on the German Baltic Sea coast that provide information about the hydrological situation. These reports include not only water levels, but also water temperatures at various depths. They document extreme values ​​such as the highest high water (HHW) and the lowest low water (NNW). Special storm surge events – such as the devastating storm surge of 1872 – are also covered. A visit to the BSH website offers exciting insights: Baltic Sea water level.

What is particularly frightening, however, is the finding by the Federal Environment Agency: The Baltic Sea continues to suffer from anthropogenic pollution and is not in a good condition almost across the board. The recently published status report from HELCOM shows that despite a reduction in nutrient inputs, 94% of the Baltic Sea is eutrophic. Highly toxic substances and metals continue to exceed the assessment thresholds. Eutrophication has far-reaching effects on habitats and biodiversity suffers significantly. Cod stocks have not recovered to date, and herring are also showing an alarming decline - heavily influenced by overfishing and lack of oxygen, as the report summarizes. More information about this can be found on the Federal Environment Agency website: Baltic Sea status report.

The future of the Baltic Sea

The effects of climate change are also noticeable in the Baltic Sea, although acidification is progressing more slowly than in other marine regions. Nevertheless, it is predicted that it will take decades before a good state can be achieved. The HELCOM Action Plan of 2021 is intended to serve as a framework for action in the coming years to improve the situation.

The high water levels of the Baltic Sea and the associated challenges are an indication that both nature and people are required to find a sustainable solution for this valuable region. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures can be taken to protect this unique habitat.