Rivers in Europe are drying up
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (390379)
Rockingham, Australia
August 26, 2026 9:57pm CST
A disturbing news article the other day told of critical European waterways falling to record-low levels. The article is long but here’s the link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-24/summer-heatwaves-in-europe-hurting-economy/107054578.
The gauge on the Rhine at Cologne sank to its lowest reading since 1816. Some smaller rivers have almost dried up. These are critical for inland navigation and transportation of goods. Some generate hydro-electric power and provide drinking water as well as attracting tourists. If transportation of liquid and dry bulky goods has to be on by road, the consequences would be huge. The figure given that 200 trucks would be needed to replace one barge. Costs would increase immeasurably which of course impacts a country’s economy.
Global warming seemed to be on a slow increase but temperatures in the northern hemisphere this year have been surprisingly high. You can’t help but wonder what next year will bring.
The photo is mine of a covered bridge connecting Germany and Switzerland. I’m no longer sure which river it crosses. Perhaps Anna (@LadyDuck) can help.
19 people like this
18 responses
@teamfreak16 (48597)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Aug
This would be awful. Europe has some majestic rivers.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (390379)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Aug
@teamfreak16 That will happen here come summer.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (48597)
• Denver, Colorado
27 Aug
@JudyEv - It seems like everywhere is going through it. We're in a big drought right now. Denver is cutting lawn watering October 1st.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (126237)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Aug
It is sobering to learn that rivers in Europe are getting dry.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (214227)
• United States
27 Aug
We're all doomed, well at least future generations will be I'm afraid.
.
.2 people like this
@celticeagle (195284)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Aug
I have a collection of pictures of covered bridges.
Costs on everything is so much higher. Global warming is such a problem. It's scary. Trump doesn't believe in it at all and has put an end to the programs Biden had in place. If we can get him out of office we could reinstate those programs and I think it would be of help to all countries.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (195284)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Aug
@JudyEv .........I am getting very anxious.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (57785)
• Canada
27 Aug
It has been such an extreme summer this year over there.
I hope that now that they are having a bit of a cool down, soon they will get some much needed rain, a gentle and steady rain for a few days.
Transportation of our goods is expense here because of the most recent scrap that the US has got going with Iran.
Our gasoline is getting so expensive, nearing that $2/L cost again.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (504992)
• Italy
27 Aug
The river is the Rhine river. We had a horribly hot summer here in Europe. The rivers and the lakes are still at a historic "low". It rained the past week, but still not enough. Switzerland has temporarily increased the outflow of water from Lake Lugano to Lake Maggiore from three to eight cubic meters per second to help alleviate drought conditions in northern Italy.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (504992)
• Italy
27 Aug
@JudyEv - Right now it is impossible to transport products on the rivers. We are hoping for autumn rain, but right now it's a serious situation. So many curious artifacts are showing now that the rivers are so low, from ancient warships, to dinosaurs bones.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (42099)
• Philippines
27 Aug
It’s striking to see such contrasting events, with rivers drying up in some places while in Nepal, the opposite happened—rivers overflowed, causing tsunami-like mudslides that turned deadly and destructive yesterday. The world really does feel upside down when it comes to climate change.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (390379)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Aug
That is a terrible tragecy in Nepal. I read part of a glacier broke away blocking a valley.
@luisadannointed (13213)
• Philippines
27 Aug
I don't want to read or watch about it,I feel scared.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (4955)
•
28 Aug
Oh no - if truck traffic increases, that will only speed up emissions and make global warming worse! What a terrible cycle.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (5681)
• Northampton, England
28 Aug
Rain has arrived in England aty last
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (390379)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Aug
That's good to hear. It's been an unusually hot summer over there.
@MarieCoyle (64432)
•
27 Aug
Yes, they are truly in trouble with those nearly empty rivers. Loo just got back from that river cruise, they were off and on the boat often, due to low river levels. Had to travel by bus quite a bit.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64432)
•
28 Aug
@JudyEv
It sounded like a lot of work, on and off the ship and the bus, etc. in the heat....the rivers were really low. Now, they are even lower!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (390379)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Aug
Are they really? I hadn't heard that. We had massive floods last year in most parts but some areas are still drought-stricken.
@wolfgirl569 (141879)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Aug
It can be a huge problem. We have lakes that are starting to dry up here
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28819)
• Singapore
27 Aug
I think we are not doing enough to meet climate change head on.
I can only think of "Nero fiddles when Rome burns".
Our top leaders are playing brinkmanship needling each other, going at each other's throats, and blowing up issues that could have been nipped in the bud.
As usual the common folks foot bill for their misadventures.
We need united action to prevent a catastrophe.
1 person likes this
