Fighting the drought: Hungary's 'Water Guardians'
Record dry spells threaten agriculture and the operation of Hungary's only nuclear power plant. Now volunteers are fighting the drought with artificial beaver dams — a radical new idea in water management.
Dry Conditions
Low water levels in Lake Valence, Hungary's third-largest lake, illustrate the extreme summer drought that has led to historic lows in the country's waters. For the first time, the Paks nuclear power plant, Hungary's only nuclear reactor, had to be shut down in the summer due to insufficient water in the Danube for cooling, leading to a massive energy crisis.
Volunteer Efforts
Members of the volunteer organization "Water Guardians" have been digging ditches near Budapest to improve water retention. Across the country, hundreds of volunteers are building structures to restore wetlands, helping Hungary adapt to climate change.
Beaver Dam Approach
The "Water Guardians" construct beaver dams over streams and watercourses to trap even small trickles, preserving water in the landscape. They aim to prepare Hungary for a hotter and drier future, as the country experiences its worst drought crisis in 126 years.
Government Shift
In August, the government announced a shift in water management strategy, prioritizing "natural water retention methods", marking a radical turnaround from previous practices. Decades of draining wetlands and straightening rivers to open up agricultural land have contributed to the current drought crisis.
River Bed Drought
Some rivers have completely dried up, like this river bed, further exacerbating the agricultural sector, a key part of Hungary's economy. The Hungarian central bank estimated that drought damage would reduce economic growth by 0.4 percentage points in 2026, following a previous drought last year.
Winter Water Scarcity
Even in the winter, there was no rain. Farmer Oszkar Nagyapati, a "Water Guardian", had to provide water for forest animals in December 2025. Expert Diana Ürge-Vorsatz attributes the drought to man-made climate change and Hungary's location in the Carpathian Basin, emphasizing the need to restore natural conditions to maintain groundwater in winter and spring.
Drought-Resistant Crops
Researchers are testing drought-resistant crops, like this industrial hemp, at the MATE University in Godollo, Hungary. However, Ürge-Vorsatz stresses that the primary focus should be on restoring natural conditions to ensure groundwater levels during winter and spring.
Small Steps for Big Change
Forestry engineer Bence Bardos, a "Water Guardian", inspects a dam, hoping to improve the situation through small steps. While the drought results from man-made climate change, Bardos believes these measures can make a difference.