The Březová Reservoir near Karlovy Vary recorded in September 2026 a drop in water level to the lowest level in roughly the last 20 years. Because of a long-term lack of rainfall, a historic road bridge was exposed in the reservoir, which under normal conditions lies several metres under water.[1]
Cause and water level
According to Dana Zikešová, spokeswoman for Povodí Ohře, the level of the reservoir was approaching the limit at which outflow from the reservoir will have to be restricted.[1] Water flowed into the reservoir from the Teplá river at 100 litres per second, while 230 litres per second flowed out of it.[1] Povodí Ohře applied for permission to restrict the minimum outflow at the beginning of August 2026 and obtained the permission on 11 September 2026.[1] The outflow will have to be restricted if the level falls to 421 metres above sea level; on 26 September 2026 the level stood at 421.31 metres above sea level.[1] With a fall of several centimetres a day, it was possible that the limit would be reached within a week of that date.[1] Povodí Ohře has permission to reduce the outflow to as little as 100 litres per second, but according to Zikešová it will try to avoid this restriction if it is not necessary.[1]
The exposed bridge and public interest
According to long-time residents, the historic bridge was last visible in 1983, when the reservoir was drained for technical reasons.[1] Zikešová said that not even the dam keeper, who has served at the reservoir for 22 years, remembers such a shortage of water.[1] Hundreds of people came to the reservoir every day to look, photographing the exposed bridge and walking across it dry-shod from one bank to the other.[1]
State of the reservoir
The upper part of the reservoir had turned into a muddy expanse through which flowed a stream about a metre wide, representing what is normally the Teplá river.[1] In the lower part near the dam water remained, dividing the half-emerged bridge.[1] On both banks a strip of exposed shore more than three metres high was visible.[1] According to the source, the only animals taking advantage of the situation were ducks foraging at places on the bottom where the water had previously been three to four metres deep.[1]
Related articles: Karlovy Vary
Chronology
- — As the water level of the Březová reservoir near Karlovy Vary fell, a historic bridge that is normally submerged came into view. ČTK / České noviny iROZHLAS
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Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 27 September 2026