Rhine River water levels hit record low as dry September ends

Data from Germany’s Waterways and Shipping Authority shows that water levels in the vital Rhine River remain at historic lows as October approaches.

After an unusually dry September, the river’s level in Cologne dropped to 40 centimeters on Monday morning, according to figures published by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.

Markus Neumann, an official in Cologne, said: “A level of 40 centimeters is a record low.”

Before these new records in recent months, the previous lowest level recorded in Cologne was 69 centimeters in 2018.

Several other points along the waterway—which is the busiest inland shipping route in Western Europe—also saw similar drops in water levels on Monday.

Following a summer marked by heat and drought, the Rhine repeatedly made headlines and set a series of record lows in August, severely disrupting commercial shipping. Although a brief period of rainfall brought some temporary relief, water levels have fallen again in recent weeks.

The Rhine, which connects the Netherlands and the major port of Rotterdam with large parts of western Germany, is used to transport a wide range of goods, including coal and fuel.