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Rhine River Water Levels Outlook, Week of September 22, 2025

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Rhine levels at the Kaub chokepoint are modestly low but navigable for river-cruise drafts, with the corridor operating and routine locks open. Light, on-and-off rain is expected midweek across western Germany and the upper basin, which should limit day-to-day swings but is not a strong high-water signal. Travelers should verify pier details 24 to 48 hours before embarkation, monitor updates for the Middle Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen, and consider Cancel For Any Reason timing if they are inside final payment windows. 1,3,5,6

Current Conditions

Primary gauge: Kaub (Pegel Kaub). 4.7 ft (1.43 m). Normal-range benchmarks vary by ship draft and season. Risk level Caution due to the Middle Rhine bottleneck where Kaub controls safe drafts between Koblenz and Bingen. 1,2,4

Seven-Day Outlook

Guidance indicates periodic light showers over North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and upstream headwaters, with basin totals roughly 0.2 to 0.8 in (5 to 20 mm). No strong flood signal appears for the cruise corridor, so fluctuations should remain minor. Seven-day risk call: Caution. 5,6

Three-Week Risk Forecast

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

Probabilistic river guidance shows a broad, low-amplitude signal without prolonged heavy rain, so week-two levels remain sensitive to short dry or wet pulses. If CFAR coverage fits your needs, confirm purchase windows and reimbursement caps before final payment. 3,6

Cruise-Line Responses

Data unavailable.

Traveler Advice

Booked guests should expect normal sailing with low-water awareness on the Middle Rhine. Reconfirm your pier the day before, pack for cool, showery hours, and allow extra time if traffic slows coach transfers to or from the quays. If a last-minute docking swap occurs, taxi or rideshare is usually fastest along the river roads. 5

Shopping near term, favor itineraries that include both Koblenz and Rüdesheim, since lines can often adjust timings there when levels are modestly low. Ask your advisor about deck placement, included transfers between Frankfurt or Cologne and the quay, and flexible rail tickets for pre- or post-nights. 1

Looking beyond three weeks, treat the outlook as probabilistic. Keep deposits flexible where possible, set reminders to recheck this spoke two weeks and again three days before departure, and review CFAR terms carefully. 3

Methodology

This outlook uses real-time WSV PEGELONLINE data, ELWIS station pages and forecasts, the BfG 14-day probabilistic Kaub outlook, DWD synoptic guidance, ECMWF model precipitation charts, and internal thresholds, with U.S. unit conversions from metric using 1 ft = 0.3048 m. 1,2,3,5,6,7

Disclaimer

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

Sources

  1. WSV PEGELONLINE, Rhine gauges, current Kaub reading
  2. ELWIS, Pegel KAUB, recent values and gauge metadata
  3. BfG, Kaub probabilistic 14-day water-level forecast, PDF
  4. Kaub gauging station overview and role on the Middle Rhine
  5. DWD, Germany 10-day forecast summary
  6. ECMWF IFS HRES, accumulated precipitation charts over Germany
  7. NIST, international foot exact conversion, 1 ft = 0.3048 m