The Rhine River, which is extremely important in European industry, as it transports cargo and ships, is hitting record-low levels. Other major rivers have recently become too warm or shallow to cool nuclear reactors, which power around 23% of Europe’s electricity. Romania was recently forced to close its only nuclear reactor due to the Danube river’s water level dropping.
“Major rivers like the Rhine and Danube are critical trade corridors and sources of water for industry and energy generation, so when water levels fall, the effects extend far beyond the waterways themselves,” Liz Saccoccia, the Water Security Lead at World Resources Institute, said. She added, “Along the Danube, low water levels have prevented farmers from shipping their crops, and have stopped cruise ships from reaching ports.” Additionally, in Southern Europe, much of the population struggles with access to clean drinking water. As the water levels of the Rhine and Danube are extremely unlikely to rise back up, transportation, electricity, and water supply will remain affected.
