shipping
Rhine water level near Kaub at 44 centimetres
The water level on the Rhine near Kaub has risen slightly. photo
© Thomas Frey/dpa
In no other section of the Middle and Lower Rhine is the water level lower than at Kaub. Thanks to the rain, however, a cautious all-clear can be given.
The level at Kaub, which is important for shipping on the Rhine, rose until Saturday morning. According to the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), it increased to 44 centimeters by 9:00 a.m.
On Friday afternoon (1 p.m.) it was still 35 centimeters. According to a WSV forecast, the water level could rise to 150 centimeters by Tuesday morning and then drop again.
This reading does not reflect actual water depth. According to the WSV, the depth of the fairway near Kaub was 1.45 meters on Friday. The value is lower in no other section of the Middle and Lower Rhine.
Kaub in Rhineland-Palatinate is an important interface for shipping on the Rhine. The water levels there are of particular importance because the river is very shallow at this point. Due to the low water that has been going on for weeks, inland waterway skippers have to pay attention to the draft of the ship when loading and can transport less freight.