Povodí Ohře is a state enterprise that manages watercourses and reservoirs in north-western Bohemia, including the Březová Reservoir on the Teplá river near Karlovy Vary [1][2]. The enterprise holds a permit from the water authority to regulate the outflow from this reservoir, if necessary down to 100 litres per second [1].
Reduced outflow from the Březová Reservoir in 2026
On 8 October 2026 the enterprise began reducing the outflow from the Březová Reservoir from 170 to 150 litres per second after the water level fell below 421 metres above sea level [1][2]. Spokeswoman Dana Zikešová said that the inflow the previous day was only 90 litres per second while the outflow was 170 litres, so the level kept falling [1][2]. According to her, rain was forecast but did not come, so the enterprise reduced the outflow and will watch whether the inflow strengthens [1][2].
Zikešová said that such a low water level because of drought had not been recorded in the reservoir before [1][2]. According to her, the enterprise drained the reservoir only in 1999 and 2003, for repairs to the dam [1][2].
State of the reservoir
The Březová Reservoir has a permanent storage level of 422.7 metres above sea level, which is theoretically the minimum state [1][2]. On the afternoon of 8 October 2026 the level stood at 420.98 metres above sea level and the volume of the reservoir had fallen to 0.68 million cubic metres, whereas the normal state is around 5.7 million cubic metres [1][2]. At 13:00 only 140 litres of water per second were flowing into the reservoir [1][2].
Because of the low level, a historic bridge, normally several metres under water, has connected the two banks of the reservoir for over two weeks [1][2]. Povodí Ohře has banned entry onto this bridge for safety reasons, yet it has become a destination for people from the surroundings and the wider region who photograph themselves there [1][2].
Chronology
- — On 8 October 2026 the state enterprise Povodí Ohře began reducing the outflow from the Březová Reservoir near Karlovy Vary from 170 to 150 litres per second, as the water level had fallen below 421 metres above sea level. → Ekolist.cz Karlovarská Drbna
Sources
- Ekolist.cz (ČTK) — 8 October 2026
- Karlovarská Drbna (ČTK) — 8 October 2026