Low water levels in Europe’s rivers, especially the Rhine, are increasingly disrupting not only shipping and cruises but power generation and industry, and relief is not yet in sight, with water levels lower than at any point since 1947.
The situation is worse than in previous years, where cycles of lower and higher water are normal, because an unusually warm spring melted mountain snows that feed the river earlier rather than over a longer period of time has combined with long periods of no rainfall.
At some points, the water is so low that there are predictions that the Rhine may soon be split, with ships moving between Rotterdam and Koblenz, or between Basel and Koblenz in the other direction, may not be able to continue. Kaub, near Koblenz, is one of the shallowest points of the river, and is experiencing some of its lowest levels ever, and is expected to fall below 4″ soon.
The levels have stranded some ships, and forced others to operate with only partial loads. Power plants that use river water for cooling have had to cut back on generation because not only is less water available, but the warm outflow must be limited to keep river temperatures down.
Some highway transport restrictions have been lifted in Germany to allow more cargo to move that way, but the river traffic is far beyond what highways can handle.
