On 8 October 2026 Povodí Ohře began reducing the outflow from the Březová water reservoir near Karlovy Vary from 170 to 150 litres per second, because the water level had fallen below 421 metres above sea level.
The state enterprise Povodí Ohře began reducing the outflow from the Březová Reservoir near Karlovy Vary on 8 October 2026, from 170 to 150 litres per second. The reservoir level fell below 421 metres above sea level, close to the limit down to which the outflow can be regulated.[1][2]
Outflow and inflow
The enterprise's spokesperson Dana Zikešová told the Czech News Agency that the inflow remains very weak. On Wednesday 7 October 2026 it was 90 litres per second against an outflow of 170 litres, so the level kept falling. The forecast rain did not arrive. On Thursday 8 October at 13:00 the reservoir received an inflow of 140 litres per second.[1][2]
The water authority permitted the enterprise to reduce the outflow, if necessary, to as little as 100 litres per second. Povodí Ohře does not yet want to resort to this and is waiting to see whether the announced rain affects the inflow.[1][2]
State of the reservoir
The reservoir on the Teplá river has a permanent storage level whose theoretical minimum lies at 422.7 metres above sea level. On the afternoon of 8 October 2026 the level stood at 420.98 metres. The volume of water fell to 0.68 million cubic metres, while the usual state is around 5.7 million.[1][2]
According to Zikešová, the reservoir had not held so little water before because of the drought. A lower state occurred only in 1999 and 2003, when water managers drained the reservoir because of repairs to the dam.[1][2]
Access to the bridge
Because of the low level, according to sources a historic bridge that is normally several metres under water had connected the two banks of the reservoir for two weeks as of 8 October 2026. Povodí Ohře banned entry onto the bridge for safety reasons. The uncovered monument nevertheless attracts locals and visitors from a wide area, who have themselves photographed there.[1][2]
Related articles: Březová Reservoir, Karlovy Vary
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
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Sources
- Ekolist.cz — 8 October 2026
- Karlovarská Drbna — 8 October 2026