Warsaw. The Vistula is drying up – the record from 2015 has been equaled – 26 cm of water

The forecast models of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management indicate that water may continue to decrease. This situation is due to the lack of significant precipitation, very high temperatures and lower water levels in the Vistula River basin.

By Saturday afternoon, the lowest level of the Vistula at the Warsaw Bulwary measuring station was 26 centimeters. It was recorded three times in 2015: on August 28 and 29 and September 5.

Now, on Saturday, September 7, 2024 – at 7:20 p.m. at the Warszawa-Bulwary station – the water level showed again, only 26 centimeters and it remained. History repeated itself.

On Friday, the Vistula River level was 28 centimetres, on Saturday morning – as reported by Artur Węgrzynowicz from tvnwarszawa.pl – it was 27 centimetres.

Our reporter also took photos of the Vistula River in the vicinity of the Zawadowskie Islands Reserve on Saturday morning. – A characteristic element of the reserve is the sandbanks. The low water level makes the landscape even more picturesque, but also depressing, because it shows the effects of climate change. The main stream of the river in this place is only a few meters wide – said Węgrzynowicz.

– Since 2015, we have been facing the effects of hydrological drought, which occurs cyclically. Considering the fact that in recent years we have seen increased development of passenger shipping in the capital, the number of vessels is growing, and consequently the number of people willing to travel, such crises are much more visible. Most of the vessels floating on the Warsaw section of the Vistula are traditional boats, which are flat-bottomed and prepared for cyclical changes in the water level in the river – this is how Jan Piotrowski, the plenipotentiary of the president of Warsaw for the Vistula, commented on the interruption in ferry services.

SEE: Not enough water in the Vistula River, Warsaw ferries are not running.

– We are talking about a river that is not regulated in principle. Just because a ferry sailed along this route one year does not mean that it will sail the same way next year. The bottom is constantly subject to erosion, with the floods various things come, and obstacles on the bottom move. Every year we struggle with this situation and the truth is that the climate is changing, water is decreasing, and human interference in nature and natural processes cause such droughts to occur.

SEE ALSO: Vistula River uncovers 17th-century cannons.

IMGW hydrologist Michał Sikora said that the situation on other rivers in the country is also not good. 69 percent of water gauge stations record the low water zone, which is less than usual. 27 percent of rivers are in the medium water zone, and only four percent are in the high water level. – We have 44 warnings of hydrological drought – Sikora said.

Asked about the outlook for the coming days, he replied that forecasters do not currently see “significant prospects for improving this situation.” On the contrary, due to high temperatures and lack of precipitation, the situation “will worsen in the coming days.”

SEE: Treasures that the Vistula gave back. Swedish loot, Kierbedź Bridge.

Sikora emphasized that low water levels and droughts are a problem for agriculture, animals and plants. Also for shipping, inland transport and water tourism. The consequences may also be felt by the energy sector and industry, especially those sectors that draw water from rivers. In the long term, lower water levels in rivers also result in lower groundwater levels, which may affect local water shortages, especially where water is drawn from shallow intakes.

READ: The heat won't let up, but a weather change is on the horizon

On Thursday, IMGW issued heat warnings of the first and second degree throughout the country. These warnings will remain in force until Monday. The warmest will be in the west of the country, up to 32 degrees Celsius. Numerous warnings of hydrological drought issued by IMGW at the end of June also remain in force. They apply primarily in the eastern part of Poland.

Drought is occurring in 14 Polish voivodeships. The largest water shortages are recorded in the Mazowieckie, Podlaskie and Lubelskie voivodeships – informed the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG). From July 1 to August 31, 2024, the largest agricultural drought occurred among silage maize crops. It was recorded in 406 communes (16.3 percent of Polish communes).