Rhine low water at Kaub

Past day

+20 cm

Past week

+39 cm

The daily average has stayed below the equivalent low water level (GlW, 77 cm) since 22 July 2026. The last day at or above it was 21 July 2026 (81 cm).

So far in 2026, the daily value was below the equivalent low water level (GlW) on 106 days of the 299 days with a value and a reference.

• Barges. At a Kaub reading of 135 cm, a large motor vessel 135 m long with a capacity of 500 TEU can only be half loaded, and at 75 cm four ships are needed to carry the same tonnage. Source: Contargo, low water brochure (English page), read 19 October 2026. The brochure dates from 2017 and uses a GlW of 78 cm, not the 77 cm in force from 1 January 2023.
• River cruises. Viking said that low water affected more than half of its European river cruise days from mid-July to mid-August 2026. The article names the Rhine and the Danube, so this is not Kaub alone. It counts operating days with some consequence, not cancelled sailings. Source: River Cruise Advisor, reporting Viking, article updated 19 August 2026, read 19 October 2026.

These are two examples, not advice for any voyage; for shipping use the official notices on ELWIS.

• Lowest low water level on record (NNW): 25 cm, on 22 October 2018. (Niedrigster Niedrigwasserstand)The lowest level the source records at this gauge. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Lowest daily water level in the period (NW): 25 cm, on 22 October 2018, over 2010 to 2020. (Niedrigster Tageswasserstand)Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Mean low water level (MNW): 65 cm, over 2010 to 2020. (Mittel der Niedrigwasserstände) The newest reading is 10 cm below it.The average of each year's lowest level over the period named. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Equivalent low water level (GlW): 77 cm, valid from 1 January 2023. It is published by PEGELONLINE. (gleichwertiger Wasserstand) The newest reading is 22 cm below it.The CCNR's reference level for low water: the water level at a flow that, on average, is undershot on 20 days a year when the river is free of ice. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Mean water level (MW): 208 cm, over 2010 to 2020. (Mittel der Tageswasserstände) The newest reading is 153 cm below it.The average level over the period named. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Flood mark I (M_I): 460 cm, valid from 1 January 2004. (Marke_I) The newest reading is 405 cm below it.A flood mark PEGELONLINE lists for this gauge. We do not say what the marks mean; see Flood stage. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Mean high water level (MHW): 544 cm, over 2010 to 2020. (Mittel der Hochwasserstände) The newest reading is 489 cm below it.The average of each year's highest level over the period named. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Highest navigable water level (HSW): 640 cm, valid from 1 January 1950. (höchster Schifffahrtswasserstand) The newest reading is 585 cm below it.The highest navigable water level, as listed by PEGELONLINE for this gauge. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Flood mark II (M_II): 640 cm, valid from 1 January 2004. (Marke_II) The newest reading is 585 cm below it.A flood mark PEGELONLINE lists for this gauge. We do not say what the marks mean; see Flood stage. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Highest water level in the period (HW): 719 cm, on 5 June 2013, over 2010 to 2020. (Höchster Momentanwasserstand)Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).
• Highest high water level on record (HHW): 825 cm, on 5 January 1883. (Höchster Hochwasserstand)The highest level the source records at this gauge. Published by PEGELONLINE REST API v2 (WSV, operated by ITZBund).

The newest reading is dated 17:15 CET on 26 October 2026 and comes from the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), through PEGELONLINE.

The chart shows daily averages of complete days, so its last point trails the newest reading.

We show no forecast values for German gauges: the forecasts PEGELONLINE relays come from the Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), whose terms allow only private and own use. ELWIS and the BfG publish them.