In 2023, the average temperature of Lake Geneva was 13.6°C. Unprecedented records which worry about the future of the lake.
It is the largest natural lake in the Alps and Western Europe. Lake Geneva, whose waters have never been so warm, recorded an average temperature of 13.6° for the year 2023. Unprecedented records which worry about the future of the lake.
The water temperature of Lake Geneva increases 4 to 5 times faster than that of the oceans. This increase could favor certain species and threaten others.
Professional fishermen are aware of this: when they haul in their nets at the moment, they catch many more perch than usual. Traditionally, this species breeds from May.
The upheaval of the ecosystem
Increasing lake temperatures appear to favor certain species and threaten others. The ecosystem of the largest freshwater reserve in Western Europe is in complete upheaval. Concerned by this phenomenon, scientists installed a platform with hundreds of sensors on the lake five years ago to carry out analyses.
In winter, oxygen-rich surface waters typically mix with deep waters, a process known as “winter brewing“. This phenomenon is essential for oxygenation and biodiversity but it has been weakened for years.
Experts, however, have reported that the water quality of Lake Geneva has improved considerably, thanks to cleaning and anti-pollution campaigns.
