Skip to content

Danube · km 554 · ROMANIA

Zimnicea

Historical Danube levels at Zimnicea, Romania

very low for the dateRising · +10 cm today

−64cmlevel of the day, 4 November 2026▲ +36 cm in 7 days

Gauge zero: 16.218 m (Black Sea)

Catchment area: 658,400 km²

Alert me for Zimnicea

Free · stop it from any email

Compared with normal
19 of 19
years had more water on 4 November
Forecast peak
−51 cm
Sun 8

Water level (cm)

04/11/2026 07:00 EET

+48h: −60 cm+72h: −55 cm+96h: −52 cm+120h: −51 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 · Alert level 530 cm — above the displayed range · Flood level 610 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 Zimnicea is at −64 cm, 10 cm higher than yesterday.

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 1 cm · for the second day 1.6 cm · for the third day 2.4 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 Zimnicea gauge measures the Danube at river km 554 (Romania). At Zimnicea, the Danube level for 4 November 2026 is −64 cm. In a week the level has risen by 36 cm. The official forecast covers 2 days: +24 h: −67 cm, +48 h: −60 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 20 years of measurements, the highest level was 740 cm (4 July 2010) and the lowest −107 cm (17 October 2026). The largest documented flood here reached 864 cm in 1895. On the Danube, the neighbours are Turnu Măgurele upstream and Ruse downstream. How close the forecast was over the last 90 days, on average: for the next day 1 cm · for the second day 1.6 cm · for the third day 2.4 cm. The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 43 hours ago.

Frequently searched

What does today's water level mean?
At Zimnicea, the Danube level for 4 November 2026 is −64 cm. In a week the level has risen by 36 cm. The station usually reports once a day; the latest reading came 43 hours ago.

Conditions

Forecast +24 h
−67 cm · −3 cm vs today
Forecast +72 h
−55 cm · +9 cm vs today

Nearby gauges

On the opposite bank (Bulgaria), the same stretch of the river is also measured here: Svishtov water level (0 km). Upstream on the Danube: Danube water level at Turnu Măgurele (43 km). Downstream on the Danube: Danube level at Ruse (59 km).

Station map

Zimnicea — −64 cmTurnu Măgurele — −100 cmRuse — −83 cmAlexandria — 98 cmKarantsi — 170 cmBozhichen — 194 cmShirokovo — 47 cm
Stations on the map: 7

Historical events

  • Flood · 1895(10 Apr)

    864 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
−107cm17/10/2026
Mean
−98cm
Maximum
−64cm04/11/2026

Last 12 months

365 station-days with data

Minimum
−107cm17/10/2026
Mean
87cm
Maximum
403cm04/03/2026

Whole history (2002–2026)

7,231 station-days with data

Minimum
−107cm17/10/2026
Mean
215cm
Maximum
740cm04/07/2010
Record high
740 cm04/07/2010
Record low
−107 cm17/10/2026

By year

By year
YearMinimumMeanMaximumstation-days with data
2026−10778403308
2025−34114432365
20247228488366
2023−16285541365
2022−57125390365
2021−10221543365
202012167480366
2019−49192657365
2018−38224656359
2017−11173442361
2016−3248639366
2015−10220538360
201458303678365
2013−7272655346
2012−9173474366
2011−36169533357
2010177403740303
200915261557334
200822219468306
200725176418214
200254261418329

Monthly mean

2025-12: Mean 174 cm (50–308)17425/122026-01: Mean 148 cm (25–243)14826/012026-02: Mean 284 cm (228–385)28426/022026-03: Mean 232 cm (112–403)23226/032026-04: Mean 252 cm (140–360)25226/042026-05: Mean 98 cm (49–180)9826/052026-06: Mean 77 cm (43–112)7726/062026-07: Mean −18 cm (−53–34)−1826/072026-08: Mean −75 cm (−85–−54)−7526/082026-09: Mean −78 cm (−90–−68)−7826/092026-10: Mean −98 cm (−107–−74)−9826/102026-11: Mean −76 cm (−88–−64)−7626/11

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 Zimnicea

Historical Danube levels at Zimnicea
DateWater level (cm)
−64
−74
−80
−88
−94
−98
−100

About the city

About Zimnicea

Location: Zimnicea is located in southern Romania, on the left bank of the Danube River, approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Bucharest. It is an important border city and port, serving as a key crossing point between Romania and Bulgaria.

Coordinates: 43°39'00"N, 25°22'00"E

Area: Approximately 131.3 km² (50.7 sq mi)

Population: Approximately 14,000 inhabitants (as of recent census)

Administrative Division: Teleorman County, Romania

Historical Significance

Zimnicea has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The area was originally settled by the Thracians and later became part of the Roman Empire. The city's name is believed to derive from the Slavic word "zimnica" meaning "winter quarters" or "winter camp," reflecting its historical role as a seasonal settlement.

During the Middle Ages, Zimnicea developed as an important trading post and border fortress on the Danube. Under Ottoman rule, the city became a significant administrative and military center. In the 19th century, Zimnicea experienced growth as a border crossing point and port city, benefiting from its strategic position on the Danube and its role as a gateway between Romania and Bulgaria.

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

Importance on the Danube River

Zimnicea holds a strategic position on the Danube River, serving as an important border crossing point and port between Romania and Bulgaria. The city's port facilities handle significant commercial traffic, including cargo ships, container vessels, and passenger ferries connecting the two countries across the Danube.

The city serves as a critical monitoring point for Danube water levels, as it represents an important measurement station for the lower Danube section. Water level data from Zimnicea 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 for cross-border trade and travel.

The port of Zimnicea 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 Zimnicea provides crucial data for understanding the behavior of the Danube River system in this critical border section.

Tourism and Attractions

Zimnicea 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 Zimnicea History Museum, which showcases the region's rich past and its role as a border city and port.