Drought in Saxony: Multiple reservoirs under pressure, average fill level at 81.6%

Herz — Climate Desk · 6 August 2026 at 08:38 · 30s summary · 1 min read

Drought is putting pressure on reservoirs in Saxony, Germany: several facilities cannot reach their target fill levels due to insufficient water inflow, according to Saxony's State Water Management Administration (Landestalsperrenverwaltung, LTV). As of August 6, 2026, the region's drinking water reservoirs show an average fill level of 81.6%.

What we know

The LTV has reported that inflows to multiple reservoirs in the state are insufficient to reach the target fill level—known by the German technical term Stauziel.

On average, Saxony's drinking water reservoirs are 81.6% full, but this figure masks significant regional disparities.

Marked regional disparities

In the Vogtland and Western Ore Mountains (Westerzgebirge), reservoirs remain adequately filled, with levels between 86 and 95%.

The situation is markedly different in the Central Ore Mountains (Mittleres Erzgebirge) and Eastern Ore Mountains (Osterzgebirge): the effects of the drought are clearly visible in the reservoir fill levels.

What remains uncertain

Exact fill levels for reservoirs in the Central and Eastern Ore Mountains have not been disclosed. The LTV has also not specified which of its reservoirs are unable to reach their target fill levels.