The Rhine River has fallen to record low levels in several locations across Germany and the Netherlands as prolonged heatwaves continue throughout Europe. Last week, measurements in Cologne, Germany, and Lobith, Netherlands, indicated levels lower than any previously recorded. Other significant European waterways, including the Danube and Italy's Po River, are also experiencing critically low levels, impacting their vital transport, industrial, and agricultural functions.
According to the EU's Drought Observatories, drought conditions remained critical in most of Europe and intensified in central-western regions in mid-July. Forecasters predict renewed heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 40C in many central and southern European countries, for at least another week.
The German Low Water Information System (NIWIS) reported that at the end of July, 44% of Rhine measuring stations and 78% of Danube stations recorded extremely low water levels. The Rhine, a crucial European transport artery, originates in the Swiss Alps and flows into the North Sea. Declining water levels have raised concerns about potential economic consequences due to restrictions on navigation and shipping.
On Friday, the navigable water depth at the Kaub chokepoint near Koblenz reached the 2018 record low of 25cm, though it saw a slight recovery on Monday. The Kaub gauging station is a critical indicator for Rhine navigability, determining how heavily cargo vessels can be loaded. Low water levels here can severely limit inland shipping.
Martin Wolters of the Rhine Waterways and Shipping Authority indicated that while a complete suspension of Rhine shipping is unlikely, precautions such as distributing cargo across more vessels to reduce individual load weights will be necessary. This could lead to increased transport costs and potential supply chain bottlenecks. A commodity trader noted that vessel owners might become hesitant to operate if loads are too small to be profitable or if there's a risk of damaging their ships.
The drought affecting the Danube is also causing significant disruptions to power supplies in Serbia and Romania. Serbia has reduced output at its coal-fired power plants due to insufficient water for cooling systems. Romania conducted a controlled explosion on a large rock along the Danube's bank to enhance water flow to the Cernavoda nuclear power plant.
Italy's longest river, the Po, reached a historic low near Cremona in late July. Authorities have elevated the drought alert level to 'high' across the entire Po Valley, with experts warning of potential disruptions to the drinking water supply. Furthermore, reduced river flow at the Po's mouth has allowed saltwater intrusion into the riverbed, harming the ecosystem and posing serious problems for farmers relying on the river for crop irrigation.
A study by the World Weather Attribution group found no clear long-term trend of reduced rainfall across much of Europe. However, researchers stated that human-caused climate change is increasing evaporation due to higher temperatures, making drought conditions more probable. The hot, dry weather also elevates demand for water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Prolonged droughts can also deplete lake water levels, affecting freshwater availability. The EU's Copernicus climate service noted that the 2022 European drought contributed to increased wildfire activity, which in turn led to higher-than-average carbon emissions.