Low river levels in Europe: Rhine, Danube and Po
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 has fallen to record low levels in parts of Germany and the Netherlands. Rivers fall when heat and lack of rain reduce flow. Levels measured in Cologne and in Lobith were lower than at any time since records began. Other major rivers, including the Danube and Italy's Po, have also recorded unusually low water because of the drought.
Germany's Low Water Information System said 44% of Rhine measuring stations and 78% of Danube stations showed extremely low levels at the end of July. At Kaub, a key gauging station, navigability depth hit a record low of 25cm. Lower water reduces shipping and can limit how much cargo each vessel can carry, which raises transport costs and creates supply bottlenecks.
Low Danube flows have already disrupted power and industry. Hungary's only nuclear power plant is operating at reduced capacity and officials are monitoring whether it must be taken offline. Serbia and Romania have cut power output, and Romania used a controlled explosion to redirect water. Two car plants halted production to reduce electricity use.
Heatwaves and high temperatures are making droughts worse by increasing evaporation and demand for water. Saltwater is moving into the mouth of the Po and harming irrigation for farms. If heat continues, many ports will have recorded their lowest levels by the end of summer. By next month, officials will have taken steps to limit shipping loads and spread cargo.
Key vocabulary
- Rhine
- The major river in central Europe mentioned in the text.
- drought
- A long period with very little rain and low water levels.
- gauging station
- A place that measures water depth and flow in a river.
- navigability
- How possible it is for boats to travel on a river.
- shipping
- The transport of goods by boats along rivers or seas.
- cargo
- Goods carried on a ship or boat.
- irrigation
- The use of water to water crops on farms.
- saltwater
- Water from the sea that can move into a river when flows are low.
Comprehension check
Write your answer, reveal the model answer, then score yourself honestly.
1. Which rivers are mentioned as having unusually low water levels?
2. Which two places had Rhine levels lower than at any time since records began?
3. What percentage of Rhine and Danube measuring stations showed extremely low levels at the end of July?
4. How is the Danube low flow affecting Hungary's nuclear power plant?
5. What problem is occurring at the mouth of the Po and who does it harm?
Grammar focus
Future perfect
Future perfect (will have + past participle) describes actions that will be completed before a specific future time. It is used here for likely outcomes later in the season.
- If heat continues, many ports will have recorded their lowest levels by the end of summer.
- By next month, officials will have taken steps to limit shipping loads and spread cargo.
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the future perfect form of the verb in brackets. Use the time phrase to guide you.
1. By the end of summer, the Rhine ____ (fall).
2. By Monday, many ports ____ (record) their lowest levels.
3. By next month, officials ____ (take) steps to limit loads.
4. By then, the plant ____ (operate) at reduced capacity.
5. By next week, the car factories ____ (halt) production.
Discussion
For reflection or speaking practice — not graded.
- What short-term actions can shipping companies take when river levels fall?
- How might farmers adapt their irrigation when rivers get saltwater intrusion?
- What long-term policies could governments use to reduce drought risk?
- Do you think individual households should change their water use during heatwaves? Why or why not?