Poland’s Vistula River Falls to 70-Year Low as Drought Deepens

Jerusalem, 6 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- (PAP) – At the Annopol hydrological station (Lublin Voivodeship), the water level on the Vistula River reached 160 cm on Tuesday, the lowest in the history of measurements conducted there for over 70 years, IMWM hydrologist Paweł Staniszewski told PAP. The water level is also dramatically low in Warsaw.

“A total of 71 hydrological drought warnings are currently in effect across Poland. Their number may increase in the coming days. The warnings cover virtually the entire Vistula River: from the upper catchment area, through the middle section of the river, to the lower Vistula,” said an expert from the Central Office of Operational Hydrology at the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management.

He added that a new absolute minimum has already been recorded on the Vistula River in Annopol. “The current water level there is 160 cm, while the previous lowest value was 162 cm and was over 70 years ago,” he said.

The hydrologist noted that the Vistula River in Warsaw is also approaching record lows. “Currently, the water level at the Warszawa Bulwary station is 109 cm, while the absolute minimum is 104 cm, recorded in August 2025. Forecasts indicate that the water level may continue to fall in the coming days, approaching this value,” he emphasized. He added that new absolute lows are also being observed in other river basins, including the San, Wieprz, and Bug rivers.

According to Staniszewski, after the heatwave, which is expected to peak on Wednesday and Thursday, further deepening low flows are possible on rivers affected by hydrological drought. “It’s important to remember that low flows typically reach their peak in late August and early September. This means that water levels in rivers are still possible in the coming weeks,” he said.

The expert pointed out that a rainfall deficit has persisted in Poland since the beginning of the year. “Only May was characterized by rainfall totals above normal. Earlier months, especially at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, were characterized by very low rainfall totals. Locally, in the upper Vistula River basin, it was only about 15 percent of the normal rainfall,” he noted.

He added that the hydrological situation improved in Masuria, Żuławy and partially in the Biebrza and Supraśl river basins.

According to the hydrologist, the current situation is the result of years of rainfall deficits. “For a lasting improvement in the hydrological situation, a few months of heavy rainfall will not be enough. A longer period of above-normal rainfall, possibly spanning several seasons, would be necessary,” he said.

The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) reported that on Wednesday, water flows at 333 hydrological stations were below the mean low flow (SNQ). This is the highest number of such instances this year and indicates a very difficult hydrological situation. High temperatures and increased evaporation will contribute to further depletion of water resources.

In the coming days, the number of stations with flows below SNQ may remain high or increase locally. Current hydrological drought warnings will remain in effect for the most part.

Hydrological drought warnings are issued due to persistently low water flows, based on multi-year values, which are forecast to continue in the coming days. These are caused by long-term rainfall deficits and high temperatures causing increased evaporation.