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Austria is one of Europe's most water-wealthy countries, with an average annual precipitation of around 1,100 mm. This corresponds to 92 km³ of water, which is about twice the volume of Lake Constance. In addition to its abundant surface water resources, Austria also has a large number of natural lakes, covering a total area of about 500 km2. The country's inland waters cover 1,120 km2 or 1.3% of its total area, not including the many small streams and lakes in the mountains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Austria covered by water | 1.3% |
| Total area of Austria's natural lakes | 500 km2 |
| Number of lakes | 88 |
| Area covered by lakes | 225 km2 |
| Number of large international lakes | 2 |
| Area covered by all-Austrian lakes | 207 km2 |
| Largest lake | Lake Fertö |
| Lake Fertö's length | 32 km |
| Lake Fertö's width | 4-10 km |
| Lake Fertö's elevation | 115.5 m above sea level |
| Lake Fertö's total area | 300 km2 |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria has abundant surface water resources, with 1.3% of the country covered by inland waters
- Austria is one of Europe's most water-wealthy countries, with an average annual precipitation of 1,100 mm
- The country's natural lakes cover an area of 500 km2
- Lake Fertö is the largest area of lacustrine water in Austria
- Almost 100% of Austria's drinking water comes from ground and spring water
Austria has abundant surface water resources, with 1.3% of the country covered by inland waters
Austria's natural lakes cover a total area of about 500 km2, with 88 lakes covering 225 km2. In addition, there are two large international lakes. The largest area of lacustrine water within Austria is Lake Fertö, which is 32 km long and 4-10 km wide.
Ninety-six percent of the country drains into the Danube (Donau) system, which flows into the Black Sea. Two areas drain into the North Sea: one in the far west, which flows into the Rhine, and a small area northwest of Vienna, which drains into the Elbe basin. Another small area in the Tyrol drains into Italian streams, eventually reaching the Adriatic through the Po.
Almost 100% of Austrian drinking water comes from ground and spring water, with around half of this amount provided by groundwater. The water resources are protected by the Austrian Water Rights Act.
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Austria is one of Europe's most water-wealthy countries, with an average annual precipitation of 1,100 mm
Austria's water resources are well-protected by the Austrian Water Rights Act, and almost 100% of the country's drinking water comes from ground and spring water. The total area of Austria's natural lakes is about 500 km2, with 88 lakes covering an area of 225 km2 in addition to two large international lakes. The principal Austrian lakes include Lake Fertö, which is the country's largest area of lacustrine water and is located at the lowest elevation of 115 m.
The country's water supply is managed by approximately 5,500 water supply companies, which provide high-quality drinking water to 90% of the population. The remaining 10% obtain their drinking water from domestic wells and springs.
Austria's climate is influenced by its location in the central European transitional climatic zone, with the Alps playing a crucial role. The country can be divided into three climatic zones: the eastern part has a continental Pannonian climate with mild summers and cold winters, the central Alpine region has an Alpine climate characterised by high precipitation, short summers, and long winters, and the remaining part of the country belongs to the transitional central European climatic zone with a wet and temperate climate.
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The country's natural lakes cover an area of 500 km2
Austria is one of Europe's most water-wealthy countries, with an average annual precipitation of around 1,100 mm. The country's natural lakes cover an area of 500 km2, and there are about 88 lakes covering an area of 225 km2 in addition to two large international lakes. The principal Austrian lakes are listed in Table 4. Excluding the two international lakes, the other 27 all-Austrian lakes listed in the table total 207 km2 in area. The largest area of lacustrine water within Austria is Lake Fertö, which is at the country's lowest elevation of 115 m. It is about 32 km in length and 4–10 km wide. It is a tectonically formed steppe lake, unlike the characteristically glacial lakes of the country.
Austria has abundant surface water resources. Overall, 1,120 km2 or 1.3% of the country's area is covered by inland waters. This figure does not include the myriad of small streams and lakelets in the mountains. Ninety-six per cent of the country drains into the Danube (Donau) system, which flows into the Black Sea. Two areas drain to the North Sea (Atlantic): one in the far west, which flows to the Rhine (Rhein), and a small area northwest of Vienna, which drains into the Elbe basin. Another small area in the Tyrol drains into Italian streams, eventually reaching the Adriatic through the Po.
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Lake Fertö is the largest area of lacustrine water in Austria
Austria is one of Europe's most water-wealthy countries, with an average annual precipitation of around 1,100 mm. This corresponds to 92 km³ of water, which is about twice the volume of Lake Constance.
Around 1.3% of Austria's area is covered by inland waters, including lakes and streams. The total area of Austria's natural lakes is about 500 km2, with 88 lakes covering an area of 225 km2, in addition to two large international lakes.
Lake Fertö, also known as Lake Neusiedl, is the largest area of lacustrine water in Austria. It is a saline lake about an hour east of Vienna, straddling the Austrian-Hungarian border. The lake covers 315 km2, of which 240 km2 is on the Austrian side. It is about 32 km in length and 4-10 km wide, although some sources state that it is up to 12 km wide. Lake Fertö is a tectonically formed steppe lake, unlike the characteristically glacial lakes found elsewhere in the country. It is at the country's lowest elevation, 115 m above sea level, and has almost dried up at times.
The Fertö/Neusiedler Lake area has been a meeting place of different cultures for eight millennia, resulting in a varied landscape and unique combination of steppe-like lake and Central European cultural landscape. The area is also a prime birdwatching spot and is used for recreational activities such as boat trips and bicycle tours.
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Almost 100% of Austria's drinking water comes from ground and spring water
Austria is one of Europe's most water-wealthy countries, with an average annual precipitation of around 1,100 mm. This corresponds to 92 km³ of water, which is about twice the volume of Lake Constance. Almost 100% of Austria's drinking water comes from ground and spring water. Around half of this amount is provided by groundwater. The remaining 10% of the population obtain their drinking water from their own domestic wells and springs.
Austria has abundant surface water resources. 1,120 km2 or 1.3% of the country's area is covered by inland waters. This figure does not include the myriad of small streams and lakelets in the mountains. Vienna, for example, covers almost all of its drinking water demand from mountain springs. The spring zone of the First Vienna Spring Water Main comprises the mountains Schneeberg, Rax and Schneealpe, while the spring zone of the Second Vienna Spring Water Main encompasses the Hochschwab Massif. The two spring zones cover 675 square kilometres.
The valuable water resources are well protected by the Austrian Water Rights Act (Österreichisches Wasserrechtsgesetz). In Austria, some 90% of the population, i.e. 7.9 million inhabitants, are supplied by central water supply facilities; the total length of the pipeline network used is around 78,500 km. Some 5,500 water supply companies (municipal facilities, district water boards, cooperatives) supply the population with high-quality drinking water that complies with strict legal requirements.
Drinking water suppliers must have the water they supply tested at regular intervals. The examination and assessment of the drinking water as well as the monitoring of the water supply system itself may only be carried out by authorized persons or institutes such as AGES.
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Frequently asked questions
1.3% of Austria's area is covered by inland waters. This equates to 1,120 km2.
Almost 100% of Austrian drinking water comes from ground and spring water.
Lake Fertö is the largest area of lacustrine water within Austria. It is 32km long and 4-10km wide.
