Visitors to the Prater Island area may have already spotted it: the Isar is currently running lower than usual in Munich. This is intentional. The city has revealed the purpose behind this action.
Isar Level Lowered in Munich: City Gives Reason for Low Water Level
The regular annual “Bachauskehr” stream maintenance is currently taking place in the Isar. This process involves clearing the riverbed of debris and sediment. “What settles on the bottom or grows unchecked burdens wildlife and water quality,” the City of Munich emphasized.
Besides cleaning the river, the measure serves another important purpose: it allows for the inspection of damage to embankments, dams, and bridges—for instance, from accumulated driftwood—that might go unnoticed at full water levels. “With the water level lowered, the waterways are inspected on foot, embankments and structures are examined, and necessary repairs are carried out,” the city explained.
Isar, Fabrikbach, Schwabinger Bach, and Eisbach Lowered for Maintenance in Munich
Where in Munich is this happening? The “Große Isar”—the Isar side channel between the western riverbank and the Museum Island, the Wehrsteg, and Prater Island—as well as the Fabrikbach, which flows out at the level of St. Luke’s Church, and its connected waterways—including the Eisbach and the Schwabinger Bach—are being lowered for the maintenance.
Furthermore, according to the city, the inflow to the Fabrikbach will be closed, and the waterways will then be cleared of fish by authorized personnel. To enable the maintenance work in the “Große Isar,” the two weirs on the river in Munich—the Praterwehr and the weir opposite St. Luke’s Church—are being opened.
Stream Maintenance in the Isar Leads to Surfing Halt at Eisbach Wave
This operation also impacts Munich’s surfers: they must temporarily forego wave riding again. As the city explains, surfing at the famous Eisbach wave is not possible during the work.
However, athletes won’t have to wait long to use their boards again. According to the Public Works Department, the current maintenance period, which began this weekend, will end on October 31st.
When and How Does the Bachauskehr Take Place in Munich?
These maintenance works are carried out in spring or autumn if necessary. “At this time, there is neither a risk of the waterways freezing over nor of them overheating excessively,” the city stated.
The reason the Isar isn’t completely drained is due to the method chosen by the city’s Public Works Department: they perform a so-called “gentle Bachauskehr,” where a residual flow of water is maintained in the streams at all times to protect wildlife.
During all work, the focus is on using methods that are gentle on wildlife. Larger fish are caught and relocated to other bodies of water. The operation is accompanied and documented by ecological experts.
Sources: City of Munich
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