Wallonia Drought Deepens: Water Levels Fall Below 2020 Records
Wallonia is facing its most severe drought on record, with water levels in the Brabant wallon rivers now dropping below the unprecedented thresholds observed during the 2020 crisis. Despite forecasts of rainfall, authorities have maintained all water restrictions across the region as the situation continues to deteriorate.
According to DH Les Sports+, officials have confirmed that river levels in the Dyle and Gette basin are now below the thresholds recorded in 2020, which were already described as unprecedented at the time.
A Crisis Exceeding 2020 Records
The Dyle river in Brabant wallon is approximately 10 centimeters below the already critically low level observed in 2020, according to Ann-Laure Furnelle of the ASBL Aer Aqua Terra, an association that cleans riverbeds in the region. “I thought I had experienced the worst regarding water stress and the level of the Dyle in 2020,” Furnelle told RTBF. “It must be said that the phenomenon is intensifying this year.”
Furnelle described the scene along the riverbanks as “heartbreaking,” noting that exposed roots that are normally completely submerged are now visible to the naked eye. “The Dyle lacks water, it’s catastrophic,” she said.
The 2020 drought was already recognized as an agricultural calamity by the Walloon government. The fact that 2026 conditions are now exceeding those records signals a significant escalation in the region’s water crisis.
Critically Low River Flow Rates
Since the beginning of July, precipitation has been virtually non-existent across Wallonia. Only 4 millimeters fell in Bertrix, and many regions received no rain at all, according to RTL Info.
The Escaut, Ourthe, and Semois basins now have an average flow rate of just 26 cubic meters per second, below the critical threshold of 30 cubic meters per second. Nicolas Yernaux, spokesperson for the Service Public de Wallonie (SPW), highlighted the unusual timing of these low levels. “What worries us is not so much the level as its earliness,” Yernaux told RTBF. “We have already experienced lower flow rates, but reaching such levels as early as mid-July is striking.”
For comparison, during the devastating floods of 2021, river flow rates reached 1,334 cubic meters per second. Today, they oscillate around 26 cubic meters per second.
Restrictions Remain in Force
Despite forecasts of rainfall, the Walloon Drought Cell has decided to maintain all restrictions currently in place. The measures, which include bans on kayaking, fishing restrictions on most non-navigable watercourses, and restrictions on pleasure boat navigation, remain fully in effect as of August 2.
RTBF reports that the coordination cell met to assess the situation and concluded that expected showers would not be sufficient to durably improve conditions. The SPW confirmed that no measures would be relaxed at this stage.
Eight communes, mainly in Luxembourg province, remain under surveillance by the Société wallonne des eaux with strict water consumption limits. Residents are being asked to reserve water for sanitary and food-related uses only.
Elevated Fire Risk Across the Region
The fire risk remains “very high” in open areas and “high” in forested areas across Wallonia, according to Stéphanie Ernoux, spokesperson for CORTEX, the region’s crisis coordination center. “In open areas, the risk is still very high,” Ernoux told RTL Info. “In forested areas, it’s high because the trees are still suffering.”
Ernoux emphasized the importance of respecting measures taken by provincial governors, particularly fire and barbecue bans. “We insist again on respecting the measures taken by the provincial governors, particularly the fire and barbecue bans, even in areas designated for this purpose,” she said.
The severity of the fire risk is underscored by statistics: 117 vegetation fires were recorded in Wallonia in July 2026 alone, compared to 115 for all of 2025.
Ecological and Public Health Concerns
The drought is having cascading ecological effects. Low water levels increase water temperature, promoting bacterial proliferation and concentrating pollutants in rivers. This has already led to a swimming ban at Lake Bambois in Namur province due to bacterial contamination.
The exposed roots along riverbanks threaten the stability of trees and plants that protect watercourses by providing shade and retaining banks. Eutrophication—excessive nutrient enrichment—remains a major concern in Brabant wallon rivers, exacerbated by the low water levels.
A Broader European Crisis
The Wallonia drought is part of a wider European pattern. In France, a quarter of small watercourses are dry according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition. More than half of England has been declared in drought state, and July 2026 is on track to be the driest month ever recorded in England. Southern Europe continues to face severe wildfires, including deadly incidents in Greece.
Climate change attribution studies have found that soil drought conditions like those currently affecting Western Europe are now eleven times more probable due to human-induced climate change. The June 2026 heatwave in France set new records, with an average national temperature indicator of 30°C.
What to Watch For
As Wallonia enters August, several questions remain critical. Will the expected rainfall materialize and be sufficient to reverse the trend? How long will restrictions remain in place? And what will be the long-term ecological impact on the Dyle and other rivers?
The situation is being closely monitored by the Drought Cell, which continues to meet regularly to assess conditions. With almost all of Belgium now placed on orange heat alert and temperatures of up to 36°C expected, the immediate outlook suggests the crisis is far from over.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and to respect all current restrictions. As Stéphanie Ernoux emphasized, the priority is preventing further damage to already fragile ecosystems and avoiding additional fire risks during this unprecedented drought.