State dam administration feels the effects of climate change

The state dam administration has invested around 120 million euros in flood protection and other facilities in 2025. Managing Director Eckehard Bielitz sees adapting the dams to the consequences of climate change as an important task for the future. 2025 was another very dry year. An adaptation strategy is needed in response to this development.

At the end of the year, only around 80 percent of the long-term precipitation fell in the catchment areas of the dams. The resulting inflows to the dams were well below average at 52 percent. It is necessary to react to this, for example by making technical changes to the dams, but also by tapping into additional water resources.

"It will be increasingly important for the dams to fill up to the reservoir target again over the winter. This is the focus of our measures," explained Bielitz.