Rhinewater Levels Rise Past One-Meter Mark in Cologne
Following months of severe low water, the Rhine water level in Cologne is rising sharply and is projected to cross the one-meter mark by Sunday evening, October 25. The water level stood at 63 centimeters on Friday morning, October 23, before forecasters projected a steady upward climb.
Projected Water Level Climb Through the Weekend
The Electronic Waterways Information Service of the Federal Government (ELWIS) tracks the continuous rise of the river over a four-day period. On Saturday, October 24, the gauge is expected to tick upward from 65 centimeters in the early hours to 75 centimeters by late night. The pace quickens on Sunday, October 25, with projections reaching 80 centimeters at 5 a.m. and 98 centimeters by 5 p.m.
The key threshold is expected to break Sunday evening. ELWIS forecasts a level of 104 centimeters at 7 p.m., climbing to 112 centimeters by 11 p.m. The upward trajectory continues into the following week, with estimates pointing to 144 centimeters on Monday afternoon and reaching 180 centimeters by Tuesday morning, October 27. This sequence marks a total gain of 117 centimeters over four days from the initial Friday reading.
Comparison With Historical Lows
This rebound brings relief after an extended period that dominated the city's riverfront for months. Multiple historic lows hit the region during the summer and autumn. On September 28, the gauge dropped to just 40 centimeters, setting a new low-water record. That figure bypassed the previous historic low of 69 centimeters recorded in October 2018, which had already been undercut earlier in August 2026.
Impact on Commercial River Shipping
The prolonged shallow water created significant bottlenecks for commercial shipping and freight transport along the waterway. Because reduced channel depth limits vessel draft, cargo ships cannot operate at full capacity. Freight operators had to reduce their cargo loads during the low-water months to prevent vessels from running aground.
Related reading