Alpine multi-purpose reservoirs: Future potential and relevance

To date, concerns about water scarcity and related conflicts are almost absent in Switzerland. Yet, both the summer drought of 2003 and the anticipated impacts of climate change on Alpine water resources rise our awareness for the increased probability of local water shortages towards the end of this century. Multi-purpose reservoirs might alleviate the negative effects of regime shifts triggered by rising temperature, reduced snow pack and glacier melt. Ideally, such reservoirs would meet various demands, such as electricity production, irrigation, snow-making, and drinking water supply besides ecological needs or flood control. But is their potential contribution to alleviate water shortages indeed significant? Can natural and artificial lakes and ponds indeed hold back enough water to compensate for the anticipated natural discharge reductions in summer and fall?