Historic Lows: Jiu River Hits Record Levels Amid Severe Drought

Romania is facing a severe hydrological crisis as the Jiu River, one of the country's major waterways, has plummeted to historic low levels. Hydrologists from Apele Române Jiu reported unprecedented water scarcity this week, with two key monitoring stations recording their lowest-ever figures.

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The Jiu River is going through one of the most difficult hydrological periods in recent decades.

The Filiași hydrometric station, in operation since 1922, registered a record low of -18 centimeters on August 19, 2026. On the same day, the Răcari station, established in 1976, recorded a water level of 136 centimeters. These extreme lows signal the severity of the prolonged period of low water discharge affecting the region.

Specialists are utilizing advanced equipment like the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to ensure precise measurements of water flow. This technology helps verify data from standard hydrometric stations and provides a detailed understanding of water levels and distribution across the river's cross-section.

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Every measurement taken in the field offers specialists a concrete picture of how the water resource is evolving and allows for comparison of the current situation with historical data existing in the hydrological archive.

Accurate data is vital for hydrological forecasting and operational decision-making. The continuous monitoring and analysis of the Jiu River's status allow Apele Române Jiu to track the progression of the drought and implement effective water resource management strategies. The current figures underscore the critical nature of this low-flow period.

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The figures from the field show how severe this period of low discharge is.