Dam water level in St. Petersburg surpasses 180 cm mark.
St. Petersburg, Russia, is currently grappling with its second recorded July flood in history. The first instance occurred on July 12, 1865, and the second, unexpectedly, took place in early July 2025.
The city, known for its rich history and numerous floods, has experienced over 300 recorded instances of flooding. However, July floods are particularly rare. This time, the flood was expected due to a cyclone and strong winds, which caused water levels to rise significantly.
On July 3, the KSD directorate announced the closure of the dam in the evening, a move likely due to the high probability of a flood, as noted by the Chief Meteorologist of St. Petersburg. This decision halted ship traffic on the Kronstadt Ship Canal.
The current flood situation has been unprecedented in the past 160 years, with wind gusts of up to 20-23 m/s expected in the Kronstadt and Dam area, and up to 15-19 m/s in St. Petersburg itself. The external dam level is currently above 180 cm, and the water level in the current flood has already surpassed this level.
In response to this situation, a 'yellow' weather hazard level has been declared in St. Petersburg, effective until July 5. The defense structures complex in the city has also been closed.
According to Chief Meteorologist Alexander Kolesov, if the dam hadn't been closed, flooding would have already occurred. The high probability of a flood was initially predicted by Kolesov on July 3.
The first July flood in 1865 saw a water level of 186 cm, but the current flood's water level is yet to be specified. The city's defenses, including the St. Petersburg Dam, have helped mitigate the impact of the flood.
Despite the challenging circumstances, St. Petersburg continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, working tirelessly to manage the flood and ensure the safety of its citizens.
[1] Kolesov, A. (2025). Statement on the High Probability of a Flood in St. Petersburg. Retrieved from https://www.meteo.ru/st-petersburg/
[2] KSD Directorate. (2025). Dam Closure Announcement. Retrieved from https://www.ksd.ru/news/dam-closure-announcement/
[3] City of St. Petersburg. (2025). St. Petersburg Flood History. Retrieved from https://www.st-petersburg.ru/history/flood-history/
- Given the recent flood in St. Petersburg, it is clear that climate change and its effects on the weather are causing concern for environmental scientists.
- The unexpected July flood in St. Petersburg in 2025 highlights the importance of scientific predictions and the need for effective environmental-science policy to protect cities from such events in the future.
