Drought causes record low water levels in Rhine and Vistula rivers

Extreme drought conditions across Europe have led to historic water level drops in two major waterways, threatening trade and transportation. On August 10, 2026, the German Association of Inland Navigation (BDB) warned that the Rhine river could soon become impassable, while Poland’s National Meteorological Institute reported that the Vistula river has reached record-low levels in Warsaw.

In Germany, the water level at the critical navigation point of Kaub, located between Koblenz and Mainz, is expected to fall below 10 centimeters this week. Jens Schwanen, general director of the BDB, stated that such levels would effectively split the river in two, halting commercial shipping and tourism. As of the morning of August 10, the water depth at the Kaub reference point was recorded at 17 centimeters, significantly restricting vessel passage.

The decline in water levels is attributed to a prolonged lack of precipitation. These conditions threaten the continuity of inland waterway logistics, which are vital for economic stability in the region. Authorities and navigation experts remain concerned, as the current meteorological trends suggest that the situation may worsen before any potential improvement occurs.