The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly apparent in the Alpine region, with a significant strain on water resources leading to the early closure of mountain huts. 

The traditional Neue Prager Hütte, located in the Hohe Tauern National Park, has been forced to close early for the third consecutive year due to a severe water shortage, as Austrian media reported.

As the region experiences less snowfall and extended dry periods, water supplies crucial for livestock and human visitors have diminished. Michaela Langer-Weninger, Upper Austrian Minister of Agriculture, highlighted that water is essential for pasture farming. “A cow needs 180 litres of water per day on a hot day,” she explained. 

Other animals, such as horses, sheep, and goats, also require substantial amounts of water, which is in short supply due to increasing drought conditions.

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Austria’s traditional huts severely impacted

The problem extends beyond agriculture. Mountain huts, popular with hikers, are facing similar challenges. For instance, the Gschwendtalm in Großraming, which supports 46 cattle and three dairy cows, uses an average of 3,000 litres of water daily. 

According to the Austrian newspaper Kurier, with local springs proving inadequate, the Gschwendtalm had to invest in a large concrete tank to manage the water supply more effectively.

The situation at the Neue Prager Hütte, situated at 2,800 metres above sea level, mirrors these issues. 

Dependent on glacier meltwater and rainwater, the hut has experienced repeated closures due to insufficient water supply. “There is a misconception that the water supply is not a problem up in the mountains, but it is actually quite severe”, Georg Unterberger from the Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV) said.

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The challenges faced by alpine huts are not unique to Austria. Similar problems are reported across the Alps, with the German Alpine Association (DAV) highlighting that approximately 10 percent of its 200 huts urgently need intervention. 

The retreat of glaciers and decreased precipitation are contributing factors.

What can be done?

To address these issues, the DAV is advocating for more sustainable practices, such as installing dry toilets and capturing rainwater through building facades. 

However, these solutions require substantial investment. For example, the Neue Prager Hütte plans to build a new structure for dry toilets, with costs estimated between €600,000 and €800,000.

In addition to water shortages, the Alps are also grappling with other climate-related challenges, including the deterioration of infrastructure due to thawing permafrost and increased rockfalls. 

The ÖAV has called for €95 million to renovate and maintain mountain huts and trails, emphasising the urgent need for action as conditions continue to worsen.

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