Panama canal drought: Lowering water levels threaten the trade route The Panama Canal is becoming the new face of climate change, as drought is restricting the trade route. Opened since 1914 the Panama Canal links the Atlantic with the Pacific ocean. Lowering water levels are threatening the canal. FRANCE 2's team C. Guttin, A. Filippi, Z. Boughzou and FRANCE 24's Liza Kaminov tells us more.