Water Level at Port of Manaus on Amazon River Lowest in 122 Years

The Amazon region of northern Brazil continues to suffer under the worst drought in 120 years resulting in the lowest water level at the Port of Manaus in 122 years. The low water levels are not only causing problems in Manaus, which is the largest city in the Amazon region, but also for a half a million people along the Amazon that depend on the river for transportation. A state of emergency has been declared in 62 municipalities along the river.

This problem has been building for over a year. Water levels were at record low last September-October-November and the water levels did not fully recover due to below normal rainfall during the 2023/24 summer rainy season. A year ago, people along the river suffered shortages of food, water, and medicines and that is expected to reoccur this year.

Water levels on the Amazon are expected to keep falling for another 1-2 weeks and scientists are concerned that the region may not fully recover until 2026. Scientists attribute the current problems to climate change.

The Amazon River is formed near the city of Manaus when the Negro River joins with the Solimoes River. The Negro River, which is the largest northern tributary to the Amazon, is also at record low levels. Water levels on the southern tributaries such as the Madeira River and Tapajos River are also record low, which is impacting grain shipments. Barge operations on the Madeira River have been suspended and barges on the Tapajos River are only being loaded to 60% of capacity.

Some grain shipments out of Mato Grosso that were scheduled to go north to the Amazon River have been diverted to the Port of Santos in southeastern Brazil at an additional cost of approximately USD 21 per ton.

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Tags: shipments, shortages, Amazon River, Amazon, low water levels, Port of Manaus, grain, Brazil, drought