The Vistula river’s water levels in Warsaw have fallen to a shocking 4cm, the lowest recorded, amid a sand mining-driven ecological crisis. Environmentalists and local officials are appealing to city mayor Rafal Trzaskowski to halt the “plundering economy” along the waterway.
Historic Water Crisis
The Vistula river, currently facing severe drought conditions, has seen water levels drop to a historic low of just 4cm—the lowest levels measured at the Warsaw river buoys. This slump is partly due to the basin’s subsidence, which is causing the riverbed to sink further. In the 20th century, the riverbed near Warsaw dropped by as much as two meters.
Environmental Impact
Piotr Bednarek, an environmental scientist and the founder of Water Freedom organization, stressed the negative impact on the river’s ecosystem but noted that sand mining is a significant contributor to the river’s subsidence. Sand mining operations in the Warsaw section of the Vistula–three quarries in total–are extracting more material than the river is depositing. This results in the rapid sinking of the basin.
Calls for Immediate Action
Local authorities and 27 non-governmental organizations have called on Mayor Trzaskowski to halt planned construction of a regulating dam and further sand extraction in the Vistula’s basin. Warsaw City Councilman Jan Mencwel has declared the issue during city council meetings.
