Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's rivers
Decreasing water levels have sparked concerns about the economic fallout of having to limit navigation and shipping.On Friday, the navigable water depth at the chokepoint of Kaub near Koblenz hit the 2018 record low of 25cm, before recovering slightly on Monday. The Kaub gauging station in western Germany is a key indicator of navigability on the Rhine because it measures how heavily cargo vessels can be loaded. "We hope that it will happen as soon as possible and we hope that the cooling, liberating rain that the forecasters do not yet see coming will arrive."The drought of the Danube is also causing serious disruption to power supplies in Serbia and Romania.
- ▪Decreasing water levels have sparked concerns about the economic fallout of having to limit navigation and shipping.On Friday, the navigable water depth at the chokepoint of Kaub near Koblenz hit the 2018 record low of 25cm, before recoveri
- ▪The Kaub gauging station in western Germany is a key indicator of navigability on the Rhine because it measures how heavily cargo vessels can be loaded.
- ▪"We hope that it will happen as soon as possible and we hope that the cooling, liberating rain that the forecasters do not yet see coming will arrive."The drought of the Danube is also causing serious disruption to power supplies in Serbia
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| Publication time | Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:38:48 GMT |
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Rhine falls to record low levels as drought strains Europe's riversImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Rhine fell to its lowest ever levels at points in Germany and the Netherlands as heatwave conditions continue ByLaura GozziPublished1 minute agoThe River Rhine has fallen to record low levels in several locations in Germany and the Netherlands as prolonged heatwaves continue across Europe.Last week, levels were measured in Cologne in western Germany and in Lobith, where the Rhine crosses from Germany into the Netherlands, that were lower than at any point since records began.Other major European rivers with important transport, industrial and agricultural functions have also seen record low levels, including the Danube, which flows through 10 countries, and Italy's Po…
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