A standing wave in a Munich stream that has been a wave-riding hotspot for over four decades has vanished, leaving urban surfers high and dry.
The water volume in the Eisbach dropped last week for annual cleanup work along the streambed.
However, once the gates reopened and water began to flow again on Friday, the famous surge failed to appear like it typically does.
"We're baffled," surfer Klaus Rudolf stated to a publication. "I stood at the bank with my surfboard on Friday night and couldn't believe it."
The Eisbach wave in the Englischer Garten park has grown into an icon in the southern German city since rogue surfers in the 1980s transformed it from an occasional natural phenomenon to a permanent surfable presence.
City officials pledge rapid resolution
"The city administration is cooperating with the Water Management Office and wave enthusiasts to find a quick solution so that the renowned water surge will return shortly to its normal state," Mayor Dieter Reiter announced Tuesday.
The precise reason the surge disappeared was still unknown on Tuesday, according to municipal representatives.
The recent work removed obstructions from the streambed and examined the channel.
"No alterations were made to the river surge or its banks during the cleanup," the authorities stated, and an inspection of the site Monday showed no structural issues.
Restoration efforts underway
Authorities intend to divert more water from the Isar River into the stream in attempts the surge returns.
The Eisbach wave is widely regarded as the biggest and steadiest river wave in the center of a large urban area, and has become a tourist attraction in the regional capital, which is otherwise known for brews and bratwurst at the yearly festival.
The surf association head, leader of the wave riders' group the surfing organization, informed news agencies in summer that thousands of local surfers frequent the river surge.
"Wave riding is part of the lifestyle in Munich," he stated. "Not only for the surfers themselves, but also for the urban identity."
Precautionary rules established after previous event
At the time, the river surge had just reopened after a months-long closure following the spring tragedy of a local surfer who got caught beneath the water while riding waves after dark.
Since it reopened, new safety rules prohibited after-dark riding and established an age requirement of fourteen to enter the stream.
