Rhine level Cologne: The current status
Created: 08/26/2022, 04:55
By: Johanna Werning
The Rhine level is falling: in Cologne it is currently only 99 centimeters.
What are the implications?
The extent of the low water can be seen in photos.
Cologne – A real heat wave rolled over Cologne in August: Temperatures of over 30 degrees and a lack of rain showers are not only a problem for the people of Cologne – the Cologne Rhine is also suffering.
The level keeps dropping.
The Rhine level in Cologne is currently less than one meter.
The Stadtentwasserungsbetriebe (StEB) report a water level in Cologne of just 99 centimeters for Monday, August 22 (as of 9:45 a.m.), reports 24RHEIN.
Photos show how the Rhine in Cologne continued to disappear
View photo gallery
Rhine in Cologne: This is how the level has recently changed
Cologne Rhine level: | date |
|---|---|
99 centimeters | August 22, 2022 |
87 centimeters | August 21, 2022 |
78 centimeters | August 20, 2022 |
75 centimeters | August 19, 2022 |
74 centimeters | 18th of August |
75 centimeters (morning), 78 centimeters (afternoon) | August 17, 2022 |
71 centimeters | August 16, 2022 |
75 centimeters | August 15, 2022 |
80 centimeters | August 13, 2022 |
84 centimeters | August 12, 2022 |
87 centimeters | August 11, 2022 |
90 centimeters | August 10, 2022 |
91 centimeters | August 9, 2022 |
Source: StEB |
Low water: Cologne Rhine level slightly increased – but experts continue to warn
Even if the level rose again somewhat, the value is still significantly lower than is usual even for the current season.
The normal water level of the Rhine near Cologne is 2.97 meters.
Even if the wave coming from the Upper Rhine caused the level to rise on Monday morning, according to experts there is still no all-clear
Despite the positive trend, the Waterways and Shipping Authority does not expect any sustained improvement in water levels in the foreseeable future, according to the
dpa
.
The water levels should initially continue to recover.
After the passage of a wave coming from the Upper Rhine, it can be assumed that they will sink again.
Water level in Cologne: will a new record be reached?
This is significantly less than usual.
The normal water level of the Rhine near Cologne is 2.97 meters.
The current level of the Rhine in Cologne is therefore well below the average value.
But has a new record already been broken?
no
In October 2018, the Rhine level in Cologne was only 67 centimeters.
Low Rhine level in Cologne: Effects on shipping
Nevertheless, there are already initial effects on shipping in Cologne.
Larger ships may have to reduce their cargo significantly, a spokesman for the water center in Duisburg, the central office for water affairs in NRW, recently explained to 24RHEIN demand.
The low water level is also noticeable on the pleasure boats operated by Köln-Düsseldofer Deutsche Rheinschifffahrt GmbH.
"Due to the current low water situation, the trips in the scheduled trip at 09:30 a.m. from Cologne to the Siebengebirge can only be offered up to Königswinter.
The trips to Linz are cancelled.
The reason for this is that the moorings on this route are not deep enough, ”said Nicole Becker, spokeswoman for KD Deutsche Rheinschifffahrt, to 24RHEIN.
The regulation has been in effect since July 19.
However, smaller ships can sail unhindered on the Cologne Rhine, because the fairway in Cologne is significantly deeper than 87 centimeters.
Crossing the Rhine on foot is therefore still not possible.
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)
Low water: Falling Rhine level exposes grenades and ammunition
In addition, the city of Cologne warns against walks along the Rhine due to the low level.
The danger: "Sometimes it's cartridges, then grenades again," explains the city.
“On Sunday evening (August 7th), walkers discovered a grenade from the First World War near Poll.
The explosive ordnance disposal service transported the duds away in the evening."
Further finds of explosive ordnance are quite possible due to the low Rhine, which is why the city is appealing: "In order not to put anyone in danger, the city is asking all walkers not to walk on the banks of the Rhine at the moment."
Anyone who finds a suspicious object should leave the area and immediately dial the telephone number for the police (110), the fire brigade (112) or the security service (0221/221-32000), the city explains.
From there, all necessary measures are initiated immediately.
Bonn is also currently warning of ammunition and grenades on the Rhine.
(jw)