Lake Altaussee has seen dramatic changes recently. The lake has not frozen over in winter for the past three years. The fish population has decreased, fish are smaller and are found deeper than is historically typical. These changes have been observed at other Alpine lakes as well, prompting the Austrian Government to adopt an Austrian Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in 2012. Our efforts at Lake Altaussee contribute to a broad understanding of the history, present status and likely future of sensitive Alpine lake habitat.

Walter Munk initiated this project in 2018 in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. The project goals include:

1. Intensively study the lake geology and biology as a way to better understand Alpine lake habitats and Lake Altaussee in particular.

2. Detail the geological record and past history of the lake and surrounding area.

3. Quantify and describe the current lake dynamics and ecological system.

4. Provide baseline observations in support of Austrian, European and Global climate goals.

5. Make results publicly available — especially to students.

Erwin Heine: Bathymetry and lakebed mapping of Lake Altaussee using Multibeam Echo Sounding, UAV photogrammetry and underwater ROV imagery

Erwin Heine: Lake Altaussee - Hydrobiology, topography and stratigraphy of the lake bed

Dr. Chris Verlinden: Overview of Research at Lake Altaussee