Dniester River faces severe hydrological crisis and historic low levels

The Dniester River is experiencing a severe hydrological crisis, with water levels dropping to historic lows in several regions. In Soroca, Moldova, more than half of the riverbed has been exposed, leaving only narrow channels of flowing water. Local residents and ecologists have described the situation as an ecological disaster, noting that the receding waters have left sand, gravel, and dried mud visible where the river once flowed.

Near Naslavcea, at the entrance to Moldova, the river reached minimum historical levels in late September. This decline is attributed to a lack of precipitation in the Ukrainian Carpathians throughout the summer and management decisions at the Novodnistrovsk Reservoir. To prevent total depletion of reserves, Ukraine reduced water discharge from the reservoir to less than 27 m³/s in late September, stating it could not release more water than was entering the reservoir.

While recent data suggests the inflow to the Novodnistrovsk reservoir has slightly increased to 35 m³/s, ecologists warn of long-term ecosystem damage. The low water levels have led to fish mortality as many became trapped in shallow pools. Experts suggest that climate change may cause these extreme low-water events to recur.