Mid August 2026, severe drought - heavily impacted by an ongoing dry summer in Europe - and critically low Rhine discharge led to historic low water levels in the IJssel river. These extremely low water levels forced harbor closures, lock restrictions, and temporary pumping interventions along the river.

I took the main photo at the “IJssel Crossing Memorial”, which honours the Canadian soldiers who crossed the IJssel on 11 and 12 April 1945 during Operation Cannonshot.