Rhine River Water Levels Outlook, Week of July 28, 2025

Lorelei Rock and terraced vineyards rising above the deep aqua Rhine River, grapevines trained along a ferry handrail in the foreground, aged oak cask texture overlay, bright midday sun and crisp shadows.

Executive Summary

The Middle Rhine is holding close to its seasonal norm, so Cologne-to-Basel sailings face no draft limits this week. Persistent heat after August 5 could lower stages enough to shift risk from Normal to Caution by mid-month.

Current Conditions

Kaub gauge: ≈ 1.42 m (normal range roughly 1.0 - 3.5 m), navigation risk = Normal.¹

Seven-Day Outlook

Date	Forecast Stage	Trend
Mon Jul 28	1.42 m	Stable
Tue Jul 29	1.41 m	Falling < 1 cm
Wed Jul 30	1.40 m	Stable
Thu Jul 31	1.40 m	Stable
Fri Aug 1	1.41 m	Rising < 1 cm
Sat Aug 2	1.42 m	Stable
Sun Aug 3	1.43 m	Stable	²

Three-Week Risk Forecast

Period	Likelihood of Disruption	Confidence
Days 1-7	Normal	High
Days 8-14	Caution (dry heat, falling base-flow)	Medium
Days 15-21	Caution (persistent heat, isolated storms)	Low

A blocking subtropical ridge will stall over Central Europe after August 5, capping rainfall and boosting evaporation along the Middle Rhine. Ensemble guidance shows only scattered thunderstorms, so late-season lows could develop between Koblenz and Mannheim. Keep Cancel-For-Any-Reason coverage active; it refunds coach substitutions if draft drops below safe clearance.³

Cruise-Line Responses

Spokesperson for Viking River Cruises reports that Rhine Getaway sailings continue normally but may be "adjusted or motor-coached if water levels, lock closures, or wind affect any segment."⁴

Spokesperson for Riviera Travel states that the line "monitors Rhine gauges twice daily and can pivot to low-water contigency coaches if stages fall below safe draft, while protecting the core sightseeing program."⁵

Traveler Advice

Bring a brimmed hat, SPF 50, and polarized sunglasses, because mid-afternoon sun bounces hard off the broad Rhine surface between the Lorelei and Rüdesheim.

Quays at Bacharach and Breisach may sit lower as the river eases, so wear shoes with solid tread and allow extra time for guests with mobility concerns to disembark via the gangway ramp.

Review your cruise contract now. Standard trip-interruption clauses seldom cover itinerary changes caused by low water, whereas Cancel-For-Any-Reason riders typically reimburse up to 75 percent of prepaid, non-refundable costs if the ship must coach segments.

Methodology

Gauge data come from Pegelonline's live Kaub feed, while seven-day and ensemble outlooks blend Deutscher Wetterdienst forecasts with publicly available ECMWF ensembles.⁶

Disclaimer

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