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Danube · km 300 · ROMANIA

Cernavodă

Historical Danube levels at Cernavodă, Romania

LowRising · +9 cm today

−233cmlevel of the day, 4 November 2026▲ +19 cm in 7 days

Gauge zero: 4.866 m (Black Sea)

Catchment area: 707,000 km²

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Compared with normal
23 of 23
years had more water on 4 November
Navigation threshold
−162 cm
vs LDC (−71 cm)
Forecast peak
−194 cm
Sun 8

Water level (cm)

04/11/2026 07:00 EET

+48h: −221 cm+72h: −209 cm+96h: −200 cm+120h: −194 cm
06/10/2026Date08/11/2026
  • Water level (cm)
  • Water temperature (°C) · right axis
  • Forecast
  • normal for the date (previous years)
  • Older series from another gauge, converted to this gauge
06/10/2026 – 04/11/2026 · 30 days · LDC −71 cm — above the displayed range · Alert level 500 cm — above the displayed range · Flood level 600 cm — above the displayed range · HDC 612 cm — above the displayed range · Forecast 03/11/2026· Older series from another gauge, converted to this gauge· Water temperature (°C), on the right axis. · Source: national hydrological institutes

Full series: download CSV

On 4 November, the water at Cernavodă is at −233 cm, 9 cm higher than yesterday. The current level is 162 cm below LDC* and 845 cm below HDC**.

* LDC: Low water level Danube Commission - the minimum acceptable level (-71 cm). ** HDC: High water level Danube Commission - the maximum acceptable level (612 cm).

Next 5 days

Forecast for the next 24–120 hours. Glossary

The forecast for the next day was within 10 cm on 100% of the days in the last 90 days.

How close the forecast was over the last 90 days, on average: for the next day 2.2 cm · for the second day 3.7 cm · for the third day 4.6 cm.

The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 42 hours ago.

On the Danube, upstream and downstream

At a glance

The Cernavodă gauge measures the Danube at river km 300 (Romania). The Danube level on 4 November 2026 is −233 cm, below the low-water mark. This is 162 cm below the low-water level LDC (−71 cm). Over the last 7 days the level has been rising (+19 cm). The official forecast covers 2 days: +24 h: −232 cm, +48 h: −221 cm. Compared with the same day over the past 30 years, the level on 4 November 2026 is among the lowest 5% (percentile 0). In 24 years of measurements, the highest level was 700 cm (7 July 2010) and the lowest −270 cm (23 October 2026). The largest documented flood here reached 757 cm in 1895. The most severe documented drought here dropped to −237 cm in 2003. On the Danube, the neighbours are Călărași upstream and Hârșova downstream. How close the forecast was over the last 90 days, on average: for the next day 2.2 cm · for the second day 3.7 cm · for the third day 4.6 cm. The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 42 hours ago.

Frequently searched

What does today's water level mean?
The Danube level on 4 November 2026 is −233 cm, below the low-water mark. This is 162 cm below the low-water level LDC (−71 cm). Over the last 7 days the level has been rising (+19 cm). The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 42 hours ago.

Conditions

Forecast +24 h
−232 cm · +1 cm vs today
Forecast +72 h
−209 cm · +24 cm vs today

Nearby gauges

Upstream on the Danube: Danube river level at Călărași (70 km). Downstream on the Danube: Danube water level at Hârșova (47 km). The nearest large city on the river: Danube level at Brăila (130 km).

Station map

Cernavodă — −233 cmCălărași — −172 cmHârșova — −124 cmCernavodă SPC Aval — 696 cmCernavodă Canal — 204 cmMedgidia — 698 cmMurfatlar — 698 cmOvidiu — 704 cmNăvodari — 168 cmAgigea — 709 cmSlobozia — 132 cm
Stations on the map: 11

Historical events

  • Drought · 2003(10 Sept)

    -237 cmPeak

  • Flood · 1895(18 Apr)

    757 cmPeak

Statistics

Minimum, mean and maximum of the daily levels, with the days spent below LDC or above HDC — useful for navigation, agriculture and flood history.

Download the series (CSV)

Last 30 days

30 station-days with data

Minimum
−270cm23/10/2026
Mean
−257cm
Maximum
−233cm04/11/2026

30 days below LDC0 days above HDC

Last 12 months

365 station-days with data

Minimum
−270cm23/10/2026
Mean
−13cm
Maximum
357cm06/03/2026

128 days below LDC0 days above HDC

Whole history (2002–2026)

8,629 station-days with data

Minimum
−270cm23/10/2026
Mean
158cm
Maximum
700cm07/07/2010

951 days below LDC45 days above HDC

Record high
700 cm07/07/2010
Record low
−270 cm23/10/2026

By year

By year
YearMinimumMeanMaximumdays below LDCdays above HDCstation-days with data
2026−270−263571270308
2025−187243741110365
2024−137161452360366
2023−165223489270365
2022−195423221010365
2021−117164495410365
2020−849839760366
2019−165128607550365
2018−176168633606359
2017−9311740260360
2016−8420259060366
2015−119171500590360
2014−2226862807365
2013−137210610380346
2012−148103408290366
2011−18987510770357
2010131373700019365
2009−114188500140365
2008−94146424200366
2007−107133383220365
2005−15311625013365
2004−104194544100366
2003−237704501060365
2002−4720537200328

Monthly mean

2025-12: Mean 123 cm (−12–253)12325/122026-01: Mean 58 cm (−76–136)5826/012026-02: Mean 223 cm (139–343)22326/022026-03: Mean 202 cm (36–357)20226/032026-04: Mean 199 cm (66–308)19926/042026-05: Mean 12 cm (−60–100)1226/052026-06: Mean −21 cm (−42–45)−2126/062026-07: Mean −147 cm (−205–−48)−14726/072026-08: Mean −237 cm (−254–−209)−23726/082026-09: Mean −241 cm (−255–−220)−24126/092026-10: Mean −254 cm (−270–−221)−25426/102026-11: Mean −247 cm (−257–−233)−24726/11

This year against the historical range

IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIXXXIXII
Minimum–MaximumMean2026The band is the minimum–maximum of previous years for each calendar day; the line is the current year.

The daily series uses the first reading of each day.

Historical Danube levels at Cernavodă

Historical Danube levels at Cernavodă
DateWater level (cm)LDC*HDC**
−233−71612
−242−71612
−257−71612
−257−71612
−253−71612
−249−71612
−248−71612

About the city

About Cernavodă

Type: City and important transport hub

Location: Cernavodă is located in southeastern Romania, in Constanța County, on the right bank of the Danube River. The city serves as a crucial transport hub, connecting the Danube with the Black Sea through the Danube-Black Sea Canal and hosting Romania's only nuclear power plant.

Coordinates: 44°20'24"N, 28°01'48"E

Area: Approximately 46.7 km² (18.0 sq mi)

Population: Approximately 15,088 inhabitants (as of 2022 census)

Administrative Division: Constanța County, Romania

Historical Significance

Cernavodă holds exceptional historical importance as the site of the Anghel Saligny Bridge, completed in 1895, which was the longest bridge in Europe at the time of its construction. This engineering masterpiece, spanning 1,657 meters across the Danube, revolutionized transportation in Romania and became a symbol of Romanian engineering excellence.

The bridge, designed by engineer Anghel Saligny, was constructed without intermediate supports in the main span, making it a groundbreaking achievement in bridge engineering. It connected the two banks of the Danube, facilitating trade and transportation between Dobruja and the rest of Romania. The original bridge served for over a century before being replaced by modern structures, but its historical significance remains unparalleled.

Throughout the 20th century, Cernavodă developed as an important industrial and energy center. The construction of the Danube-Black Sea Canal in the 1980s further enhanced the city's strategic importance, creating a direct waterway connection between the Danube River and the Black Sea. This canal significantly reduced navigation distances for vessels traveling from Central Europe to Black Sea ports.

Today, Cernavodă is home to Romania's only nuclear power plant, Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, which began operations in 1996. This facility provides a significant portion of Romania's electricity needs, making Cernavodă a critical energy hub for the entire country. The city continues to serve as a vital monitoring point for Danube water levels and navigation conditions.

Importance on the Danube River

Cernavodă holds a unique and critical position on the Danube River, serving as the gateway between the Danube and the Black Sea through the Danube-Black Sea Canal. The city's location on the right bank of the Danube makes it an essential monitoring point for water levels, navigation safety, and water resource management in this critical transition zone.

Water level monitoring at Cernavodă is crucial for understanding how Danube water flows into the canal system and ultimately reaches the Black Sea. The data collected here is essential for flood forecasting systems that protect communities downstream, particularly in the Danube Delta region. The canal's operation depends on accurate water level data to ensure safe navigation for vessels passing through this important waterway.

The city's position at the junction of the Danube and the Danube-Black Sea Canal makes it a key point for managing water resources, navigation, and environmental protection. Monitoring at Cernavodă provides critical information for understanding how water levels affect canal operations, navigation conditions, and the interaction between river and sea water systems. The nuclear power plant's cooling water requirements also depend on reliable Danube water level data.

Cernavodă's role extends beyond local concerns, as the data collected here is integrated into regional and international systems for monitoring the entire Danube River basin. The city serves as a critical link in the chain of monitoring stations that track water levels from the Danube's source to its delta, contributing to coordinated water resource management across multiple countries.

Tourism and Attractions

Cernavodă attracts visitors interested in engineering history, nuclear energy, and the unique significance of being at the junction of the Danube River and the Danube-Black Sea Canal. The city offers opportunities to learn about the historic Anghel Saligny Bridge and observe modern canal operations.

The Anghel Saligny Bridge, though replaced by modern structures, remains a symbol of Romanian engineering achievement. Visitors can learn about its construction and historical significance at local museums and historical sites. The Danube-Black Sea Canal area provides opportunities to observe large vessels navigating between the Danube and Black Sea, making it an interesting destination for maritime enthusiasts.

The city's proximity to Constanța, Romania's largest port city, makes it convenient for visitors exploring the Black Sea coast. Cernavodă serves as a gateway to the Danube Delta, accessible via the canal system. The area offers opportunities for bird watching, as many migratory birds follow the Danube corridor and canal routes.

While the nuclear power plant is not open for general tourism, the city offers educational opportunities about nuclear energy and its role in Romania's energy infrastructure. The Danube riverfront provides scenic views and opportunities for fishing, boat tours, and water-based recreational activities. The city's strategic location makes it an ideal base for exploring both the Danube region and the Black Sea coast.