Poland's Vistula River Hits Record Low, Moose Crosses Shallow Waters

Poland's longest river, the Vistula, has reached a record low water level, according to recent reports from the country's meteorological office. This development has led to exposed sandbanks in Warsaw and water so shallow that a moose was observed walking across a section of the river in the countryside.

The Vistula, stretching 1,047 km across Poland, has seen its water level drop to a mere 22 cm at a measuring point in Warsaw. This marks a new low, surpassing the previous record of 26 cm set in 2015. Normally, the river's depth in Warsaw ranges from 105 to 250 cm.

Grzegorz Walijewski, spokesperson for Poland's Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), explained the factors contributing to this situation:

"There was no rainfall, there were high temperatures which mean high evaporation, but at the same time warm winters, which meant that there was no thaw, so there was no ... rebuilding of resources, of surface and ground waters"

The European Union's climate change monitoring service reported that the northern hemisphere experienced its hottest summer on record in 2024, leading to widespread droughts.

In a striking illustration of the river's shallow state, a moose was filmed crossing the Vistula near the village of Radwankow, approximately 60 km from Warsaw. The water barely reached the animal's knees, a rare sight in a river known for its normally fast-flowing, deep waters. Poland boasts a moose population exceeding 30,000, but such river crossings are uncommon.

The Vistula has long been an important transportation route and ecological corridor in Central Europe. Its basin covers about 194,000 square kilometers, encompassing nearly 54% of Poland's area. The river flows through major Polish cities including Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk, playing a crucial role in the country's history and economy.

Despite concerns about the low water levels, the Polish power grid operator has stated that the situation is not expected to cause problems for the power industry. This is due to the growing share of renewable energy, especially from solar farms, and increased options for electricity importation. Additionally, hydrotechnical investments made by utilities have helped alleviate potential issues.

The Vistula is home to over 50 species of fish and its delta is protected under the Ramsar Convention due to its unique bird species. The current low water levels raise concerns about the potential impact on these diverse ecosystems.

As climate change continues to affect weather patterns, the Vistula and other major rivers may face similar challenges in the future. This situation underscores the need for continued monitoring and adaptive management strategies to protect vital water resources and the ecosystems they support.