Critical Kaub gauge falls to new low

Data from the WSV showed that the water level gauge at the critical chokepoint of Kaub, near Koblenz, dropped to 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) late Friday before ticking up slightly to 8 centimeters early Saturday. This follows a reading of 10 centimeters early Friday, which had already severely beaten the previous historical low of 25 centimeters set in 2018.

While the river remains roughly 1 meter deeper than the traditional local indicator gauge, levels at Kaub have not risen above 78 centimeters since mid-July.

Low water levels disrupt German industry

As a vital European trade artery utilized for shipping chemicals, fuel, commodities, and other essential goods, the prolonged low water levels are already causing widespread disruptions for German industry.

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, if the Kaub gauge remains below 78 centimeters for 30 consecutive days—as occurred in 2018 and 2022—national industrial production typically drops by 1%.

Chemical producers, steelmakers, utilities, and agricultural traders have all warned of rising transport costs, severe logistical bottlenecks, and reduced manufacturing output as the crisis deepens.