# Czech Republic drought and water crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/czech-republic-drought-water-crisis > Updated: 2026-09-03T14:51:43.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4. The extreme drought in the Czech Republic has escalated, with water levels in major reservoirs and river basins reaching critical points. The Orlík Reservoir has seen its lowest inflow in 44 years, while the Vír Reservoir sits approximately eight metres below its typical summer level, having dropped more than 11 metres since the start of the year. River systems are facing severe depletion. In the Elbe (Labe) basin, the riverbed is exposed in Ústí nad Labem and Děčín. Hydrologist Tomáš Fryč noted that water has disappeared from previously stable basins, including the Želivka watershed, Vlašimská Blanice, and Rakovnický potok. The Lužnice river is described as “practically dry,” and the Sázava remains nearly unnavigable. This has devastated the water-tourism sector; Petr Ptáček of the Association of Water Tourism and Sports (AVTS) reported that paddlers have vanished from the Lužnice and Sázava, causing significant revenue losses for operators. In response to the Orlík Reservoir’s declining levels, Povodí Vltavy has implemented a historic management strategy. Due to the reservoir's water level dropping approximately 15 metres below normal, the Orlík discharge will be limited to approximately 15 cubic metres per second—essentially only what flows into it. To maintain the required 40 cubic metres per second for drinking water, ecological functions, and wastewater dilution at the Vrané waterworks, the Slapy Reservoir will supplement the deficit by providing 25 cubic metres per second. This unprecedented measure will impose restrictions on navigation and recreational use at Slapy. While hydroelectric power generation is being adjusted to match available volumes, ČEZ noted that modernizations allow plants to operate more efficiently at lower flows. The Temelín Nuclear Power Plant remains unaffected as it utilizes cooling towers rather than river flow. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-03: Slapy reservoir to supplement Vltava flow for first time due to drought Extreme drought forces Povodí Vltavy to use the Slapy reservoir for the first time in history to supplement river flows as the Orlík dam's discharge is reduced to match low inflows. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/povod-vltavy-to-use-slapy-reservoir-to-offset-orlk-water-deficit ### 2026-08-07: Czech drought leads to water-use bans and urges reduced lawn mowing Severe drought in the Czech Republic has forced Slany and surrounding villages to ban water extraction for irrigation, while experts urge reduced lawn mowing to help grass survive heat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-drought-leads-to-water-use-bans-and-urges-reduced-lawn-mowing ### 2026-08-07: Czech Drought Pushes Orlík and Vír Reservoirs to Record Lows A severe Czech drought has cut Orlík's inflow to a 44‑year low and left Vír Reservoir eight metres below normal, threatening water supplies as heat and lack of rain persist. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-drought-pushes-orlk-and-vr-reservoirs-to-record-lows ### 2026-08-07: Czech Republic's Elbe River Levels Plummet Amid Severe Summer Drought A summer drought in the Czech Republic has caused river levels, especially the Elbe, to fall dramatically, exposing riverbeds and crippling water‑tourism businesses, while the Vltava remains flow‑supported by d 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/czech-republics-elbe-river-levels-plummet-amid-severe-summer-drought --- Cite as: Czech Republic drought and water crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/czech-republic-drought-water-crisis