Rio Negro tributary of the Amazon River experiences lowest water level on record

Monday, October 7, 2024 

This past Friday the Geological Service of Brazil, a government agency, reported water levels of 12.66 meters in the Rio Negro, the largest tributary of the Amazon River in South America. It was the lowest recorded according to data collected since 1902. Wildfires and drought were reported as the cause.

Authorities of the Port of Manaus noted it was harshest drought in over 120 years. Residents reportedly lost jobs, need to travel longer to get drinking water, and boats could not navigate in the shallowed water of the river.

Rio Negro is the largest blackwater river in the world.

Sources

• "Water levels in major Amazon tributary tumble to record lows amid drought" — Aljazeera, October 5, 2024
• "Drought has dried a major Amazon River tributary to its lowest level in over 122 years" — Arab News, October 5, 2024