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Danube · km 430 · ROMANIA

Oltenița

Historical Danube levels at Oltenița, Romania

LowRising · +5 cm today

−136cmlevel of the day, 4 November 2026▲ +28 cm in 7 days

Gauge zero: 10.01 m (Black Sea)

Catchment area: 684,900 km²

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Compared with normal
23 of 23
years had more water on 4 November
Navigation threshold
−155 cm
vs LDC (19 cm)
Forecast peak
−117 cm
Sun 8

Water level (cm)

04/11/2026 07:00 EET

+48h: −127 cm+72h: −122 cm+96h: −119 cm+120h: −117 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 19 cm — above the displayed range · Alert level 550 cm — above the displayed range · Flood level 630 cm — above the displayed range · HDC 666 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 Oltenița is at −136 cm, 5 cm higher than yesterday. The current level is 155 cm below LDC* and 802 cm below HDC**.

* LDC: Low water level Danube Commission - the minimum acceptable level (19 cm). ** HDC: High water level Danube Commission - the maximum acceptable level (666 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 0.9 cm · for the second day 1.5 cm · for the third day 2.2 cm.

The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 43 hours ago.

On the Danube, upstream and downstream

At a glance

The Oltenița gauge measures the Danube at river km 430 (Romania). The Danube level on 4 November 2026 is −136 cm, below the low-water mark. This is 155 cm below the low-water level LDC (19 cm). In a week the level has risen by 28 cm. The official forecast covers 2 days: +24 h: −133 cm, +48 h: −127 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 759 cm (9 April 2005) and the lowest −169 cm (18 October 2026). The largest documented flood here reached 886 cm in 1895. On the Danube, the neighbours are Ryahovo upstream and Malak Preslavets downstream. How close the forecast was over the last 90 days, on average: for the next day 0.9 cm · for the second day 1.5 cm · for the third day 2.2 cm. The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 43 hours ago.

Frequently searched

What does today's water level mean?
The Danube level on 4 November 2026 is −136 cm, below the low-water mark. This is 155 cm below the low-water level LDC (19 cm). In a week the level has risen by 28 cm. The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 43 hours ago.

Conditions

Forecast +24 h
−133 cm · +3 cm vs today
Forecast +72 h
−122 cm · +14 cm vs today

Nearby gauges

Upstream on the Danube: Giurgiu (63 km). Downstream on the Danube: Silistra (55 km). The nearest large city on the river: Danube river level at Ruse (65 km).

Station map

Oltenița — −136 cmRyahovo — −300 cmMalak Preslavets — −258 cm
Stations on the map: 3

Historical events

  • Flood · 1895(18 Apr)

    886 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
−169cm18/10/2026
Mean
−162cm
Maximum
−136cm04/11/2026

30 days below LDC0 days above HDC

Last 12 months

365 station-days with data

Minimum
−169cm18/10/2026
Mean
39cm
Maximum
371cm05/03/2026

164 days below LDC0 days above HDC

Whole history (2002–2026)

8,630 station-days with data

Minimum
−169cm18/10/2026
Mean
204cm
Maximum
759cm09/04/2005

1,044 days below LDC44 days above HDC

Record high
759 cm09/04/2005
Record low
−169 cm18/10/2026

By year

By year
YearMinimumMeanMaximumdays below LDCdays above HDCstation-days with data
2026−169283711590308
2025−92733991270365
2024−53193464560366
2023−61257518400365
2022−102933551160365
2021−32199517490365
2020−3144445150366
2019−58174630650365
2018−81205651790359
2017−9177427140360
2016−17238619140366
2015−17214523460360
20144829565100365
2013−22258635310346
2012−25174490260366
2011−66153524690357
201016339772209365
2009−23233530160365
20088200478110366
20075188428110365
200552349759035365
2004−36235579180366
2003−59145459820365
20023824239300329

Monthly mean

2025-12: Mean 144 cm (18–272)14425/122026-01: Mean 98 cm (−23–171)9826/012026-02: Mean 248 cm (195–361)24826/022026-03: Mean 205 cm (70–371)20526/032026-04: Mean 216 cm (100–324)21626/042026-05: Mean 51 cm (−8–145)5126/052026-06: Mean 26 cm (0–57)2626/062026-07: Mean −78 cm (−118–−13)−7826/072026-08: Mean −139 cm (−148–−119)−13926/082026-09: Mean −141 cm (−152–−132)−14126/092026-10: Mean −160 cm (−169–−136)−16026/102026-11: Mean −147 cm (−160–−136)−14726/11

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 Oltenița

Historical Danube levels at Oltenița
DateWater level (cm)LDC*HDC**
−13619666
−14119666
−15319666
−16019666
−16119666
−16119666
−16119666

About the city

About Oltenița

Location: Oltenița is located in southern Romania, on the left bank of the Danube River, approximately 60 kilometers southeast of Bucharest. It is an important port city in Călărași County and serves as a key transportation hub on the Danube.

Coordinates: 44°05'00"N, 26°38'00"E

Area: Approximately 109.4 km² (42.2 sq mi)

Population: Approximately 24,000 inhabitants (as of recent census)

Administrative Division: Călărași County, Romania

Historical Significance

Oltenița has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The area was originally settled by the Getae and Dacians, and later became part of the Roman Empire. The city's name is derived from the Romanian word "Oltenia," reflecting its connection to the historical region of Oltenia.

During the Middle Ages, Oltenița developed as an important trading post and port on the Danube. Under Ottoman rule, the city became a significant administrative and commercial center. In the 19th century, Oltenița experienced growth as a port city, benefiting from its strategic position on the Danube and its proximity to Bucharest.

After Romania's independence and unification, Oltenița continued to develop as an important transportation and commercial hub. The city played a crucial role in Romania's economic development, particularly in agriculture and river transportation. Today, Oltenița remains an important port on the Danube River and a key point for monitoring water levels.

Importance on the Danube River

Oltenița holds a strategic position on the Danube River, serving as an important port and transportation hub in southern Romania. The city's port facilities handle significant commercial traffic, including cargo ships, container vessels, and bulk carriers transporting goods throughout Europe via the Danube waterway.

The city serves as a critical monitoring point for Danube water levels, as it represents an important measurement station for the middle Danube section. Water level data from Oltenița is essential for navigation safety, flood management, and environmental monitoring. The port's infrastructure accommodates both commercial shipping and passenger vessels, making it a key transportation hub.

The port of Oltenița handles various types of cargo, including agricultural products and general merchandise. The city's location makes it a key point for managing water resources, flood control, and environmental protection in the Danube region. Monitoring water levels at Oltenița provides crucial data for understanding the behavior of the Danube River system in this critical section.

Tourism and Attractions

Oltenița offers visitors a blend of historical sites, cultural attractions, and natural beauty along the Danube. The city features several museums and historical monuments, including the Oltenița History Museum, which showcases the region's rich past and its role as a port city.