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Po River Water Levels Outlook, Week of August 18, 2025

Misty reed-lined lagoon huts in the Po Delta, viewed from low aerial angle above deep aqua water, tall emerald reeds bending into the frame, weathered driftwood texture overlay, bright midday sun and crisp shadows.
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Low water persists on the lower Po, and the latest AIPO daily bulletin advises caution to navigation due to reduced channel depths. 1 No regional weather alerts are posted today for Emilia-Romagna, but midweek storms could bring meaningful rain. 2 Seven-day guidance around Ferrara totals roughly 1.4 in (35 mm), centered Wednesday to Friday, which may cause short bumps in stage but not a sustained reversal. 3 Travelers should plan for Caution, keep an eye on pre-departure emails, and coordinate options with their advisor.

Current Conditions

Primary gauge: Pontelagoscuro, Ferrara. Latest AIPO daily bulletin, Aug 14, lists the hydrometric level at -20.1 ft (-6.14 m) relative to the local gauge zero, and flags "cautious navigation" on the Po due to reduced channel depths. Risk level Caution for the Ferrara to delta reach. 1

Seven-Day Outlook

Chart unavailable. Data summary for the corridor near Ferrara: scattered storms midweek with a seven-day total near 1.4 in (35 mm), bracketed by mostly dry days before and after. No regional weather alerts are posted for today. Given the dry base flow, only modest, brief rises are expected, so the call is Caution for the next 7 days. 32

Three-Week Risk Forecast

PeriodLikelihood of DisruptionConfidence
Days 1 to 7CautionHigh
Days 8 to 14CautionMedium
Days 15 to 21CautionLow

Recent national assessments note Po flows below the period average in several main sections, consistent with late-summer low-water risk. One or two storm passages can help, but recovery typically requires broader, repeated rainfall over the basin. If you are considering Cancel For Any Reason, confirm purchase windows and coverage limits now. 4

Cruise-Line Responses

Data unavailable.

Traveler Advice

Booked guests over the next two weeks should expect routine touring with possible short coach segments if your vessel cannot progress west of the lagoon or Polesella on a given day. Lines on this itinerary routinely blend cruising with bus access to inland sights. Watch for final emails 48 to 72 hours before embarkation. 6

If you are shopping near-term dates, choose itineraries that highlight Venice, Chioggia, and Po-Valley towns like Ferrara and Mantua, which are commonly reached by a mix of sailing and short transfers when levels are low. Review your fare rules and insurance for flexibility on minor timing or routing changes. 56

For trips beyond three weeks, keep monitoring but avoid changes based on today's outlook. Po water levels vary in late summer, and tour operators are experienced at adjusting the balance between cruising and overland visits to preserve the core experience. 6

Methodology

We use AIPO daily "fondali e idrometri" bulletins for gauge status, regional alert bulletins and public model pages for weather, and city-level seven-day precipitation from Timeanddate, converting meters to feet at 1 ft = 0.3048 m. 1237

Disclaimer

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

Sources

  1. AIPO, "Bollettino dei fondali e degli idrometri," Aug 14, 2025, with Pontelagoscuro reading and caution note
  2. Allerta Meteo Emilia-Romagna, daily vigilance bulletin, Aug 18, 2025, "nessuna allerta"
  3. Timeanddate, Ferrara 14-day forecast, daily precipitation amounts for Aug 18-24, 2025
  4. ISPRA, "Stato di severità idrica," update of Aug 7, 2025, Po sections below average but within seasonal norms
  5. CroisiEurope, Po itineraries between Venice, Chioggia, Polesella, and Mantua
  6. Shermans Travel, overview of Po cruises, short cruising distances and frequent bus components
  7. NIST Handbook 44, exact meter-foot conversion, 1 ft = 0.3048 m