Posts Tagged → Drought

Copernicus: Europe’s major rivers at record low water levels

Copernicus: Europe’s Major Rivers at Record Low Water Levels

Yesterday’s Image of the Day from the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation programme shows record low water levels from four of Europe’s largest rivers. More specifically:

Copernicus Sentinel-2 images acquired between 1 and 3 August 2026 reveal exceptionally low water levels along sections of four of Europe’s largest rivers: the Loire near Saumur in France, the Po near Cremona in Italy, the Rhine near Boppard in Germany, and the Danube near Paks in Hungary. Extensive sandbanks and gravel bars, normally hidden beneath the water, are clearly visible in each scene, illustrating the widespread impact of the prolonged drought which is affecting much of Europe.

The consequences extend well beyond the riverbanks. On the Rhine, reduced water levels are limiting cargo transport and disrupting industrial supply chains across central Europe. Along the Danube, the image shows the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, where low river discharge is creating serious operational challenges for reactor cooling. In Italy, the level of the Po River continues to cause mounting pressure on irrigation, hydropower generation, and freshwater availability, while the Loire reflects hydrological conditions consistent with the severe hydrological stress affecting large parts of western Europe.

The Copernicus product portfolio includes two Drought Observatories, managed by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, which provide, respectively, drought indicators and early warning for droughts in Europe (EDO) and worldwide (GDO).

Link.

Copernicus: Low Danube Levels in Hungary

Copernicus: Low Danube Levels in Hungary

Ongoing drought conditions and heat, aggravated by the climate emergency, have led to alarmingly low water levels in the Danube. Today’s Image of the Day from the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation programme, above, shows a year on year comparison from the Danube Bend in Hungary.

From the description:

Following a prolonged dry spell and intense summer heat, low water levels are being reported along the Danube River in northern Hungary. This reach forms part of the Danube Bend, where the river divides around a long, wooded island bordered by farmland and settlements. Low water levels also affected navigation and river tourism, with sightseeing services to northern Hungarian towns being suspended since mid-July. 

This comparison uses images acquired by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 14 July 2025 and 25 July 2026. The 2026 image shows exposed pale sediment bars along several bends. The surrounding landscape forms a patchwork of cultivated fields, built-up areas, and transport infrastructure on both sides of the river.

Copernicus satellite data help authorities map exposed riverbanks and track changes in surface-water extent during prolonged low-flow periods. The resulting information can support assessments of navigation conditions, freshwater habitats, and water management needs during low-flow periods.

Link.