Drava and Danube Rivers near record lows

Croatia’s rivers are at extremely low levels this weekend, with the Drava and Danube approaching their historic lows and the Orljava near Požega measuring just three centimeters.

The State Hydrometeorological Institute (DHMZ) says the Sava, Kupa, Danube, Mura and Drava remain in the low-water zone, with no significant precipitation expected in the coming days.

According to measurements taken at 7 a.m. on Sunday, the Sava in Zagreb stood at minus 293 centimeters, the Kupa in Karlovac at minus 58, the Drava in Osijek at minus 183, and the Danube in Batina at minus 138 centimeters. The Mura near Mursko Središće was at 147 centimeters.

The Drava and Danube are particularly close to their record lows. A new minimum of minus 192 centimeters was recorded on the Drava in Osijek earlier this month, while the Danube in Batina reached a record low of minus 142 centimeters on August 3.

Zoran Đuroković, director general of Hrvatske vode, has warned that there are currently no signs of recovery in water levels.

He singled out the Drava near Osijek as particularly concerning. Water levels at that location have been monitored since 1827, and current readings are among the lowest recorded in almost two centuries.

The low water levels are also affecting navigation. Large sandbars have appeared on the Drava, reportedly blocking parts of the waterway and preventing ships from reaching Osijek.

The situation is particularly serious on the Orljava near Požega, where the water level has fallen to just three centimeters.

Water authorities have warned that parts of the river could dry up completely in the coming days. Đuroković has also raised the possibility of the Orljava drying up and said a reservoir above Požega could help address the problem by releasing water during periods of low water levels and maintaining the river’s biological minimum.

The DHMZ expects little change in the short term. Low water levels are forecast to persist on the Sava, Kupa, Danube and Mura, while the Drava is expected to remain at similarly low levels.

The institute is also warning about the wider consequences of prolonged drought. The Danube at Batina has remained below the hydrological drought threshold for most of the year, while groundwater levels in parts of central, northern and eastern Croatia continue to fall.

With little precipitation forecast, there are currently no clear signs of a significant recovery in Croatia’s rivers or groundwater levels.