The ongoing drought and falling water levels are currently a major concern for politicians, the business community and society at large. As a recognised expert in hydrology and water management, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Röttcherfrom the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Water and Soil appeared twice in national media last week. On both tagesschau24 and NDR Info, he analysed the current low-water situation and explained the effects of climate change on the water cycle.
Hydrological assessment of the low water situation on tagesschau24
On 4 August 2026, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Röttcher spoke in a report on tagesschau24 (external link, opens in a new window) about the critical water levels in German rivers. He explained the causes of the low water levels and highlighted the consequences of the ongoing drought for water bodies, ecosystems and water management. He advised that we must all – whether local authorities, districts or federal states – try to retain water in the landscape for longer. “In the past, we ensured that water drained off as quickly as possible towards the seas, and that was the right thing to do as long as we had enough – or, in some cases, too much – water. Now, due to climate change, we have too little, and that is precisely what is leading to the consequences mentioned,” said Röttcher in the interview. He sees potential solutions in a rethink of drainage systems for agricultural land, a shift to agroforestry systems or changes to soil cultivation practices. He added that consideration should be given to ways of retaining water in certain places – for example, along ditches that carry water away – so that the water drains off more slowly, seeps into the ground and can contribute to groundwater recharge.
He also addressed the implications for shipping and agricultural water abstraction, and outlined the long-term challenges that climate change poses for the management of water resources.
NDR Info: How is the low water situation developing in the north?
Just one day later, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Röttcher was once again in demand as an expert – this time on NDR Info (external link, opens in a new window). In the report ‘Low water levels: What is the situation in the north?’, he assessed the current situation in northern Germany. Although the north is traditionally regarded as a water-rich region, the effects of a lack of rainfall and prolonged dry spells are becoming increasingly noticeable here too. The Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) has recorded new historic lows at some gauges, which are now causing problems for inland waterway vessels. In the interview, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Röttcher explained why low-water events are becoming more frequent and what consequences this may have for water bodies, groundwater and the water supply.
“It is crucial to manage water even more sustainably in future and to develop strategies at an early stage to adapt to the consequences of climate change. This makes it all the more important to communicate scientific findings in an accessible way and to bring them into the public debate,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Röttcher, looking back on his television interviews.
Research into water management at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences
As Professor of Water Management at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Röttcher has been working for many years on sustainable water management and the impacts of climate change on regional water systems. His regular involvement in reporting on current water management issues (such as in July in *Land & Forst* (external link, opens in a new window) or the *AZ*) underlines the high level of scientific expertise at Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences and the social significance of research in the field of water and climate adaptation.
