Low water in the Rhine: First restrictions for ships

Created: 07/26/2022, 16:49

By: Mick Oberbusch

Due to the low water in the Rhine, not all ships can currently sail there without any problems.

© Christoph Hardt/Imago

The Rhine level is currently just over one meter - an unusual value even for this time of year.

What are the consequences?

Cologne – The Rhine near Cologne usually makes headlines when it overflows its banks.

The last time this happened was in 2021, when a flood hit the city and the river reached a level of over eight meters.

Currently, however, it is not high water, but low water that is causing problems.

On Tuesday, July 26, the water level is only 1.14 meters, according to the city drainage company (Steb).

It is still a long way from its lowest level of all time, namely 67 centimeters – are there already effects on shipping in Cologne?

Rhine level in Cologne – the current status (July 26, 2022)

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 (expected): 1.12 meters

Tuesday, July 26, 2022: 1.14 meters

Low water in the Rhine near Cologne: are there already effects on shipping?

Yes, as a spokesman for the water center in Duisburg, the central office for water matters in NRW, announced when asked by 24RHEIN.

Currently, a restriction of the sailing depth has already been reached, according to which only ships with a maximum draft of 2.20 meters can sail at the current water level.

Vessels with a higher, maximum draft are no longer allowed to sail because they run the risk of running aground.

"There are currently no problems for smaller ships, but larger ones may have to reduce their load considerably and then consider whether a trip is still economical at all."

Rhine near Cologne: Where are the level records?

Highest high tide and lowest low tide

• Flood record:

  13.84 meters (February 27/28, 1784)

• Low water record:

  67 centimeters (October 23, 2018)

• Average level:

  2.97 meters (from November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2020)

If the Rhine near Cologne, which is currently unlikely, should fall by around half a meter, you would still have reached a maximum draft of 1.70 meters - which would still be enough for smaller ships to continue their traffic.

However, larger ships would then face major problems even when unloaded.

According to the speaker, low water is quite normal for the current season - but such a low level as in Cologne is currently a bit unusual.

The reason for this is, among other things, the warm spring of 2022, in which there was hardly any precipitation.

Rhine level in Cologne at just over one meter - when will it rise again?

It is not yet possible to reliably foresee when the level can be expected to rise again.

On average, the Rhine level is three meters, but this value is calculated for the entire year.

"But the forecasts indicate that the water level will remain roughly the same for the coming weeks," says the water center.

Which means that the low water in the Cologne Rhine is likely to continue for a while.