Good water level

An optimistic start to the season on Lake Neusiedl

The mud was removed for six days so that sailors can sail freely.

(Bild: Segelhafen Jois)

Lake Neusiedl is currently well filled, thanks to the rain of recent months. Accordingly, harbor and restaurant operators and sailors on the lake are in a positive mood.

The Jois marina has been in the hands of the Rodler family for around 30 years. This makes Jois - along with Oggau - one of two harbors on the lake that are run privately and not by the municipality.

There are 350 berths and the harbor does not advertise itself as such, preferring to remain the family-run insider tip on Lake Neusiedl. "Our harbor is small, we are in the middle of a nature reserve and we live by that," says Sandra Laub-Rodler. The family business has also suffered from the past two years of water shortages. "The only advantage we had was that our harbor basin didn't silt up so much due to the upstream canal," explains Laub-Rodler. As a result, we didn't have quite as little water as other harbors.

Markus Blach from the Seejungfrau and Sandra Laub-Rodler from the marina are looking forward to the 2024 season. Craning will start next week.

(Bild: Charlotte Titz)

But sailors have also left Jois and not renewed their contracts. Not as many as feared, but in such a small business you can feel every single one.

Nevertheless, everything is being done for the customers. The harbor basin has now been cleared of mud for six days. "We invest a lot in the harbor, for example dredging away the reeds every few years. This year we also had the entrance dredged, so we are well prepared for this season."

The family's excursion boat - the Joseph Haydn - is also set to sail towards the sunset again this year, which was not possible last year due to the water level. There is almost 50 centimetres more water this year than last year, which makes everyone happy. "Nevertheless, we can't rely on it staying that way. After all, we don't know what will happen next," says Laub-Rodler, hoping for further action from the state. Because if there is no more rain now and it gets very hot, there could be considerably less water again in August.

On to the 2024 season!
For now, however, the season is starting with a confident smile on everyone's faces, with craning beginning next week. "Many sailors are going into the water early this year so that they can enjoy the season for a long time," says Laub-Rodler. Markus Blach, who has taken over the Seejungfrau in the harbor, is just as positive about this year's season as Sandra Laub-Rodler. "We've got off to a great start and will be there for our guests every day from April. It's sure to be a great summer!"