What should Europe do about its drying rivers?
The Rhine and Danube have reached historic lows. Dwindling water levels are affecting shipping, agriculture and ecosystems — and raising concerns about the future of drinking water supplies.
Europe is currently grappling with the effects of a summer of climate-fueled crises, with rivers running low due to intense heat waves and severe wildfires. The Rhine, Danube, and Po rivers have dropped to historically low levels, threatening freight transport, the economy, and agriculture. Cargo ships and cruise vessels can no longer pass in some areas along the Danube, and in German cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf, people can walk across parts of the Rhine due to reduced strong currents.
The water crisis is exacerbated by global warming, and low water levels are causing significant harm to ecosystems, with fish populations at risk of dying off due to warmer waters and reduced oxygen levels. Parched fields and exposed riverbeds are among the visible consequences, but the damage extends to underwater ecosystems as well.
The situation has drawn attention to the broader debate over water use, with some industries exempt from water abstraction fees in many German states. Authorities are implementing restrictions on water withdrawal by private individuals, and emergency measures are being considered to secure water supplies for critical infrastructure.
Politicians are exploring solutions such as deepening the Rhine's navigation channel to accommodate smaller vessels and shifting freight transport to rail, but experts argue that long-term resilience can be achieved by restoring parts of Europe's heavily modified rivers, reconnecting floodplains, protecting wetlands, and restoring peatlands.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
