Rhine and other rivers fall to record lows amid European drought
Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's rivers
- Level
- B2
- Estimated time
- 30–40 minutes
- Reading
- 1 min read
The story
The River Rhine fell to record low levels in several locations in Germany and the Netherlands. Measurements in Cologne and Lobith last week showed water lower than at any time since records began. Drought and renewed heatwaves are continuing across much of central and southern Europe.
Other major rivers have also been affected. The Danube and Italy's Po reached very low levels in some places. Germany's Low Water Information System said 44% of Rhine stations and 78% of Danube stations had recorded extremely low levels at the end of July. Low depth at the Kaub chokepoint hit the 2018 record of 25cm before recovering slightly.
Decreasing water affects navigation and shipping. Low navigability can force companies to change how they move cargo. Martin Wolters said that although shipping on the Rhine was unlikely to be suspended altogether, precautions would have to be taken. In time, this can mean higher transport costs and supply bottlenecks for businesses.
Low rivers are also hitting energy and farming. The Danube's drought has left Hungary's only power plant operating at reduced capacity, and Serbia cut output at coal-fired plants because cooling systems lacked water. The Po Valley faced irrigation problems and saltwater moved into the river mouth. Researchers said that human-caused climate change was increasing evaporation of moisture through higher temperatures.
Key vocabulary
- drought
- A long period with very little rain, causing water shortages.
- levels
- Measurements of how high or low the water is.
- shipping
- The transport of goods by ship on a river or sea.
- cargo
- Goods carried by a ship or other vehicle.
- navigability
- How easily a river can be used by ships.
- power plant
- A facility that generates electricity.
- irrigation
- The supply of water to land or crops to help growth.
- evaporation
- The process of water turning into vapour and leaving rivers or soil.
Comprehension check
Write your answer, reveal the model answer, then score yourself honestly.
1. Which two places recorded historic low Rhine levels?
2. Which other two major European rivers are mentioned as affected?
3. What percentage of Danube measuring stations recorded extremely low levels?
4. What did Martin Wolters say companies would have to do with cargo?
5. How did low Danube levels affect some power stations in Serbia?
Grammar focus
Reported speech
Reported speech is used to tell someone what another person said. In English we often use a past reporting verb (said, told) plus 'that' and change tenses in the reported clause.
- Martin Wolters said that although shipping on the Rhine was unlikely to be suspended altogether, precautions would have to be taken.
- Researchers said that human-caused climate change was increasing evaporation of moisture through higher temperatures.
Grammar exercise
Complete the reported speech gaps. Use the verb in brackets and the time phrase to choose the correct reported form.
1. This week, Martin (said) that shipping ____ unlikely.
2. Last week, stations (measured) levels ____ lower than before.
3. Earlier, researchers (found) that evaporation ____ increasing.
4. So far, officials (told) that cargo ____ spread among more vessels.
5. Recently, reports (said) the plant ____ operating at reduced capacity.
Discussion
For reflection or speaking practice — not graded.
- How might higher transport costs from low rivers affect consumers and businesses?
- What local actions could communities take to use water more carefully during drought?
- How should governments balance water use for farms, industry and power generation?
- Do you think changes in weather patterns will make these river problems more common? Why or why not?