Apele Române is temporarily increasing flow rates to maintain the level required to cool the Cernavodă nuclear power plant

The Danube is recording unprecedented flow rates and water levels, and Apele Române has ordered temporary measures to maintain the conditions necessary for the safe operation of the Cernavodă nuclear power plant. The river’s flow rate at the point where it enters the country has fallen below 1,200 cubic meters per second, while the water level at Cernavodă is approaching the operational limit of 262 centimeters, which is important for pumping cooling water.

From October 10 to 18, 2026, the National Administration “Apele Române” is increasing by 20 cubic meters per second the flow discharged from the Iezer reservoir, located in the Mostiștea Valley. The maneuver is being carried out in a controlled manner, through the coordinated operation of the reservoirs in the area, and is operational, temporary, and exceptional in nature, in accordance with the measures established by the National Committee for Emergency Situations.

The water supply to the Danube will also be increased through controlled discharges from the Izbiceni reservoir on the Olt River and the Mihăilești reservoir on the Argeș River. The decisions are being adjusted according to the available flow rates, propagation time, and the hydrological forecast.

ANAR states that the Iezer reservoir will not be emptied. After the intervention, it will retain a volume of more than 40 million cubic meters of water. The measures have been sent to the territorial structures and communicated to the responsible ministries and the National Agency for Land Reclamation.