Water Balance

Glacier meltwater can enable higher summer electricity production at hydropower plants in some regions in the short term. continue to Energy Production

High water temperatures alter oxygen and nutrient availability for fish and other aquatic organisms, causing stress. continue to Fish Mortality and Species Extinction

The contribution of glaciers to summer runoff is temporarily disproportionately large. We are, in effect, receiving an advance payment. back to Glacier Retreat

Increasing water scarcity can lead to local conflicts between agriculture and other water users. continue to Agriculture

Heat increases water temperatures in bodies of water, albeit with a time delay. back to Heat

Changes in permafrost influence subsurface groundwater flows. back to Permafrost

Trees are under stress due to water scarcity. Some tree species begin to die off locally. continue to Tree Vitality

Without precipitation, water levels in rivers and lakes fall – especially where little or no meltwater flows in. back to Drought

Changes in water volume and temperature lead to a decline in biodiversity. continue to Biodiversity

Drought and heat mean less snow and, in the long term, less glacier meltwater – reducing runoff and hydropower productivity. continue to Energy Production

Rising water temperatures and shrinking habitats lead to fish die-offs in many water bodies. continue to Fish Mortality and Species Extinction

From the middle of the century, the contribution of glaciers to total runoff may decline by up to half. back to Glacier Retreat

Water scarcity can lead to bans on the extraction of irrigation water from rivers and streams. This jeopardizes crop yields. continue to Agriculture

Lower soil moisture reduces evaporation and soil cooling. Without this cooling effect, heatwaves can intensify further. back to Heat

Meltwater from thawing permafrost can contaminate rivers and drinking water sources with pollutants. back to Permafrost

Water shortages make trees more vulnerable to disease and pests. Low soil moisture hampers natural regeneration and reforestation. Mortality increases locally to regionally across many tree species. continue to Tree Vitality

If heavy rainfall occurs after a longer dry period, the dry soils cannot absorb the water. Flooding results. back to Drought

Warmer water favours invasive species that benefit from altered conditions and displace native species. continue to Biodiversity

If water becomes too warm, the cooling capacity of nuclear power plants declines. They must reduce output, or shut down entirely. continue to Energy Production

Extreme temperatures and the drying up of smaller water bodies lead to mass mortality of fish and aquatic organisms. continue to Fish Mortality and Species Extinction

By the end of the century, glacier melt will contribute very little to runoff. New reservoirs and hydroelectric power plants could be built in areas of glacier retreat. back to Glacier Retreat

Because drinking water supply takes priority, irrigation bans become necessary during acute water shortages. This is devastating for agriculture. continue to Agriculture

Dried-out soils absorb less water during heavy precipitation. If most of it runs off the surface, this can lead to flooding. back to Heat

Thawing permafrost can redirect or alter groundwater flows, with far-reaching effects on water availability and spring quality. back to Permafrost

Water scarcity leads to stress and tree mortality. Insufficient soil moisture hampers reforestation. Mortality of many tree species continues to rise. Forestry faces major challenges. continue to Tree Vitality

When there is no rain, streams and rivers run dry, as does the soil. Because they can absorb almost no water in this state, a single heavy rainfall event is enough to cause rivers to burst their banks. back to Drought

Changes in runoff regimes and water quality intensify biodiversity loss in aquatic ecosystems, affecting both flora and fauna. continue to Biodiversity