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Rhône River Water Levels Outlook, Week of August 11, 2025

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3 min read
Pont Saint-Bénézet arching over the deep aqua Rhône River, rustic stone balustrade and flowering lavender sprigs in the foreground, lavender blossom texture overlay, bright midday sun and crisp shadows.

Rhône levels are within typical midsummer navigation ranges, with the Avignon gauge reading about 11.3 ft (3.45 m) early August 11 local time, and the station showing green vigilance. 1 Routine flood forecasts and bulletins are issued when vigilance rises or a rapid hazardous rise is underway, which is not the case at this update. 4 Travelers should verify pier times and lock notes a few days before departure, and consider Cancel For Any Reason timing for extra flexibility. 7

Current Conditions

Primary gauge: Avignon, Pont Daladier (Le Rhône à Avignon). 2 11.3 ft (3.45 m), normal range data unavailable. Risk level Normal from Lyon to Arles based on green status at Avignon, cross-checked with steady conditions at Beaucaire on the lower Rhône. 1,6

Seven-Day Outlook

Chart unavailable. For August 11 to 17, recent stage behavior at Avignon has been steady for late summer, and Vigicrues shows no active flood forecasts for this station at this time. Risk call for the next 7 days: Normal. 9,1

Three-Week Risk Forecast

PeriodLikelihood of DisruptionConfidence
Days 1 to 7NormalHigh
Days 8 to 14NormalMedium
Days 15 to 21NormalLow

The Rhône is a canalized, lock-and-weir waterway managed with published seasonal navigation rules that help keep traffic predictable in midsummer. 3,5 If you want maximum flexibility, remember that Cancel For Any Reason policies have time-sensitive purchase windows and typically reimburse 50 to 75 percent if used. 7

Traveler Advice

Booked guests can plan on Normal sailing between Lyon, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Still watch your line's pre-departure emails or app messages for minor pier or timing adjustments around locks or city bridges.

Near-term shoppers should assume stable water levels for the next two weeks. Build a little buffer into excursion days for lock transits, and carry light rain gear for brief showers rather than planning around large river changes.

Looking beyond three weeks, keep expectations steady but practical. If you need extra flexibility, compare policy options early and consider a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade soon after your first payment, since eligibility windows are strict and reimbursement is partial. 7

Methodology

We combine France's national gauge services and hydrology portals with internal thresholds for Normal, Caution, or Disruption, and convert meters to feet using standard factors. Near-real-time series are accessed via Hub'Eau, and station identities are cross-checked on HydroPortail. 8,2

Disclaimer

Forecasts beyond ten days are probabilistic and may change without notice. This information does not constitute financial or insurance advice.

Sources

  1. Sentival, Avignon gauge page, latest level and vigilance
  2. HydroPortail, station identity for Avignon, Pont Daladier (V621501001)
  3. VNF Rhône-Saône, Avis à la batellerie n°1, 2025, seasonal navigation rules
  4. Vigicrues, Règlement d'Information du SPC Grand Delta, forecast and bulletin framework
  5. CNR, Missions on the Rhône, multi-use river management
  6. Sentival, Beaucaire gauge page, lower Rhône cross-check
  7. Squaremouth, Cancel For Any Reason basics and purchase windows
  8. Hub'Eau Hydrométrie API, near-real-time data and one-month archive
  9. Sentival, Avignon station history, short-term trend