As heatwaves sweep across western Europe, the Rhine has fallen to record lows in several places in Germany and the Netherlands, the BBC reports.
Measurements taken in late July in Cologne in western Germany and where the Rhine crosses the Dutch-German border show the river’s water level is at its lowest on record. Other rivers in Europe that are important to transport, industry and agriculture are also at record lows, including the Danube, which flows through ten European countries, and Italy’s Po River.
The drought has persisted across much of Europe, and central and western Europe has become even drier in mid-July. The heatwave is expected to continue for at least another week, with temperatures in several countries likely to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.
Germany’s Low Water Information System (NIWIS) reported that 44% of the Rhine’s observation stations and 78% of the Danube’s observation stations recorded record low water levels at the end of July.
The Rhine, which starts in the Swiss Alps and flows into the North Sea, is one of Europe’s busiest waterways.
The drop in water levels has raised concerns about the economic impact of restrictions on shipping.
On the 31st of July, the depth of navigable water at the narrowing point at Kaube, near Koblenz, fell to 25 centimeters, but on the 3rd of August, the water was already slightly higher. The data from the Kaube observation station is a key indicator of how navigable the Rhine is, as it measures how much cargo can be loaded. Water levels as low as the current level can significantly restrict inland navigation.
In late July, water levels in the Danube fell to their lowest in 30 years in several countries, prompting the closure of Hungary’s only nuclear power plant. It is currently operating at 10% of its capacity, and the plant is being monitored to see if it will need to be shut down altogether.
Low water levels are also causing problems in Serbia and Romania. Serbia has reduced electricity generation capacity at coal-fired power plants due to a lack of water for cooling systems. Meanwhile, the Romanians have blasted a rock to divert water to the Cernavoda nuclear power plant.
The level of Italy’s longest river, the Po, fell to its lowest level in history near Cremona in late July. Authorities have raised the drought alert level to high for the entire Po Valley, while experts have warned of possible disruptions to drinking water supplies.
Reduced water flow at the Po’s mouth into the sea has allowed saltwater to intrude into the riverbed, disrupting the ecosystem and causing problems for farmers who use the Po to irrigate their fields.
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