A stationary surge in an urban waterway that has been a surfing magnet for more than four decades has vanished, leaving urban surfers without their waves.
Water levels in the "ice brook" dropped last week for annual cleanup work along the streambed.
However, once the barriers were removed and the stream resumed flowing again on Friday, the Eisbach wave did not form as usual.
"We're baffled," wave rider Klaus Rudolf told a publication. "I was standing at the edge with my board on Friday evening and was astonished."
The river surge in the city park has grown into an icon in the southern German city since unofficial wave riders in the 1980s turned it from an sporadic water event to a consistent surfing spot.
City officials vow rapid resolution
"Local government is cooperating with the water authorities and wave enthusiasts to identify a speedy fix so that the famous surf wave will return shortly again as usual," Mayor Dieter Reiter announced Tuesday.
The precise reason the surge disappeared was still unknown as of this week, as stated by municipal representatives.
The recent work cleared debris from the streambed and inspected the waterway.
"No structural changes were performed on the river surge or its banks throughout the maintenance," the authorities stated, and an examination of the location Monday did not reveal structural issues.
Restoration efforts underway
Authorities intend to redirect additional flow from the nearby river into the stream in hopes the surge returns.
The Munich river surge is widely regarded as the largest and most consistent inland water surge in the center of a large urban area, and has grown into a visitor draw in Bavaria's state capital, which is otherwise known for brews and bratwurst at the yearly festival.
The surf association head, head of the local surfers' association IGSM, told AFP in July that thousands of Munich wave riders use the Eisbach wave.
"Wave riding is integral to the culture in the city," he said. "Not just for the surfers themselves, but also for the urban identity."
Safety measures established following recent incident
Previously, the river surge had just reopened after a months-long closure following the April death of a local surfer who got caught beneath the water while riding waves after dark.
Since it reopened, new safety rules banned night-time surfing and set a minimum age of fourteen to brave the water.
