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

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3 min read
Vieux Lyon townhouses and Fourvière Basilica overlooking the deep aqua Saône River, wrought iron lamppost and red climbing roses beside a stone balustrade in the foreground, silk weave texture overlay, bright midday sun and crisp shadows.

Saône levels are within typical midsummer navigation ranges, with the Mâcon gauge reading about 5.2 ft (1.58 m) early August 11 local time, and the station showing green status. 1 No local flood bulletins are posted for this reach, and neighboring stations along the central Saône also indicate stable conditions. 6,2 Booked guests should verify pier notes 3 to 5 days before departure, and consider a Cancel For Any Reason upgrade if extra flexibility matters. 7

Current Conditions

Primary gauge: Mâcon (Saône à Mâcon). 5.2 ft (1.58 m), normal range data unavailable. Risk level Normal for the central Saône between Chalon-sur-Saône and Lyon, consistent with green vigilance at Mâcon and a steady trend at Lyon, Pont-la-Feuillée. 1,2

Seven-Day Outlook

Chart unavailable. For August 11 to 17, the stage at Mâcon is expected to remain steady for late summer, with no forecast values posted for the station and no local flood bulletins at this time. Risk call for the next 7 days: Normal. 6,3

Three-Week Risk Forecast

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

The Rhône-Saône axis is a managed, lock-and-weir waterway, which supports predictable navigation in midsummer unless a stalled frontal train brings persistent rain. Operators publish seasonal rules and navigation notes in the annual "Avis à la batellerie." If flexibility matters, remember CFAR policies have time-sensitive purchase windows and reimburse only a portion of trip cost. 7,3

Cruise-Line Responses

Data unavailable.

Traveler Advice

If you are already booked, expect Normal navigation from Chalon-sur-Saône through Mâcon to Lyon. Still watch for last-minute notes about gangway angles or temporary pier swaps, especially around city centers with bridge-clearance checkpoints.

If you are shopping near term, plan shore days with modest changes in gangway slope and timing. Pack light rain gear for brief showers, but do not expect river-level swings to alter your itinerary unless your line issues an advisory.

Looking more than three weeks out, keep expectations steady but practical. If you want maximum flexibility, compare policy options and purchase any Cancel For Any Reason upgrade soon after your first payment, since eligibility windows are strict and reimbursement is partial. 7

Methodology

We synthesize France's national gauge services and hydrology portals, compare with internal thresholds for Normal, Caution, or Disruption, and convert meters to feet using standard factors; near-real-time series and station identities are accessed via Hub'Eau and HydroPortail. 9,4

Disclaimer

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

Sources

  1. Sentival, Mâcon gauge page, latest level and vigilance
  2. Sentival, Lyon Pont-la-Feuillée gauge page, trend and status
  3. Vigicrues, Règlement d'Information du SPC Rhône amont-Saône
  4. HydroPortail, station identity, Saône at Mâcon (U430001001)
  5. HydroPortail, synthèse for Saône at Lyon, Pont-la-Feuillée (U472002001)
  6. Vigicrues station page, Saône at Mâcon, forecast availability and recent values
  7. Squaremouth, Cancel For Any Reason basics and purchase windows
  8. VNF Rhône-Saône, Avis à la batellerie n°1, 2025, seasonal navigation rules
  9. Hub'Eau Hydrométrie API, units and near-real-time archive