The lower Po is at record-low summer depth, and passenger ships cannot reach Polesella or Mantua. Operators are bussing inland excursions while waiting for late-season rains.
Current Conditions
Pontelagoscuro gauge: -6.21 m (normal range roughly -2 m to +2 m), navigation risk = Disruption.1
Seven-Day Outlook
| Date | Forecast Stage | Trend | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon Jul 28 | -6.20 m | Stable | |
| Tue Jul 29 | -6.25 m | Falling < 5 cm | |
| Wed Jul 30 | -6.30 m | Falling | |
| Thu Jul 31 | -6.28 m | Rising < 2 cm | |
| Fri Aug 1 | -6.27 m | Stable | |
| Sat Aug 2 | -6.26 m | Stable | |
| Sun Aug 3 | -6.25 m | Stable | 2 |
Three-Week Risk Forecast
| Period | Likelihood of Disruption | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-7 | Disruption | High |
| Days 8-14 | Disruption (ridge holds, runoff dwindles) | Medium |
| Days 15-21 | Caution (scattershot storms may ease lows) | Low |
A stubborn subtropical high over northern Italy is suppressing rainfall and accelerating evaporation. Climate researchers warn that the basin's snow-melt buffer is shrinking, so late-summer lows like 2022's may become the new normal.3 Keep Cancel-For-Any-Reason coverage active; it refunds coach substitutions if draft rises too slowly.
Cruise-Line Responses
Spokesperson for CroisiEurope notes that Po segments operate "only when water levels allow," so current Venice round-trip sailings stay inside the lagoon and transfer guests to Polesella by motor-coach.4
Spokesperson for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises reminds travelers that low water "often keeps the ship entirely in Venice," with inland tours by bus replacing the Po stretch.5
Traveler Advice
Expect your ship to remain berthed within the Venetian Lagoon and spend extra daylight on coaches to reach Ferrara or Verona. Bring a refillable water bottle and airy clothing, because temperatures on the Po plain can top 95 °F in August.
Sightseeing still sparkles-Parco del Delta boat rides, Mantua's frescoed ducal courts, and Bologna's porticoed lanes-all run on time, but plan for midday heat and limited shade on levee roads.
Finally, read insurance fine print now. Standard trip-interruption clauses rarely cover low-water reroutes, whereas a Cancel-For-Any-Reason rider typically reimburses up to 75 percent of prepaid, non-refundable costs if you choose to skip extended coach days.
Methodology
Gauge values come from daily AIPo bulletins, and hydrometeorological inputs combine ARPAE seven-day forecasts with AIPo's basin modeling suite.6
Disclaimer
Forecasts beyond ten days are probabilistic and may change without notice. This information does not constitute financial or insurance advice.
Sources
- AIPo Pontelagoscuro gauge bulletin, July 23 2025 ([agenziapo.it][1])
- ARPAE Emilia-Romagna regional 7-day forecast ([Arpae Emilia-Romagna][2])
- Cornell study on future drought in Italy's Po Basin ([Cornell Chronicle][3])
- River Cruise Advisor-Po River Cruises overview ([River Cruise Advisor][4])
- Cruise Critic forum: low water disrupting Po sailings ([Cruise Critic Community][5])
- AIPo English presentation of Po Basin forecasting system ([agenziapo.it][6])
FAQ
- How low is "too low" for cruise ships on the Po? Operators begin bussing segments when Pontelagoscuro drops below roughly -3 m, because sandbars expose along the Canal Bianco.
- Can itineraries still reach Mantua during low water? Yes, but usually by coach rather than by river, adding about two hours of round-trip road time.
- Does travel insurance cover low-water changes? Only Cancel-For-Any-Reason or specialty river-cruise riders reliably refund extra hotel nights or missed segments.