Riverboats and water levels.
 

We are about to set off on a riverboat along the Rhine & Moselle, among the literature is a warning that parts of the riverboat journey may be replaced by coaches if the water levels are too low. I've searched all over for reports on these levels but cannot find anything, the last information that I could find was for March 08 when levels were low. Does anyone one know what the levels of these rivers are at the moment. We join the boat on 24AUG08.

I understand your concern but if the level of the Rhine ever falls THAT MUCH we are all in deep doo-doo I suspect!

@Nigel,

I have *no* idea what the water levels are at this time of the year, but be aware that the levels can be too high as well, which prevents the boats from making it under some bridges.

We have taken three riverboat trips in the last three years, and loved them all. Last year the trip that followed the week behind us on the Danube had to be cut short after the first day due to high water and made the rest of the trip by bus.

It is always a concern, because the river trip is fantastic on the boat, but probably would pretty much suck on a bus trip with a daily change of location.

Good luck and let us know on your return what you observed about the water levels.

I have had good luck asking questions at wwww.CruiseCritic.com as well. They have a special forum for "River Cruises" and often there is updated info about water levels there.

Hi Nigel - Why don't you write to one or two of the local tourist offices?

http://www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/in...ards_dummy.htm

Steve

We took a barge trip and were kept from some smaller canals because the water levels were too low, so had more on the river. I don't know that it mattered that much. I find it hard to believe that if you are to be on one of the large river cruisers that the river level could be "that" low. I also doubt that there is much you could do to remedy it at this point.

The Moselle has weirs and locks, so levels don't vary much. The Rhine is a naturally flowing river, and navigation is sometimes stopped by high or low water levels.
The level at Kobenz is currently 0.83 m below normal, but I'd imagine that is normal for the time of year.
www.wetteronline.de/de/pegel.htm

Forget it.

It happens every 20 years or so.

We had enough rainfall to keep the water level high for the rest of this year.

Look forward to your cruise!!

I recall being stuck in Lyon for a few weeks years ago when the flow in the Rhone was too low for passage down to Avignon. This was before they did construction of more major locks in the river, and barge traffic would be restricted most summers.

At that time, you had to go down the Rhone in a convoy, led by a pilot. Periodically, the Swiss would release a slug of water from their reservoirs, and a lot of traffic would go up and down the river on this temporary crest. Our pilot said to all of us impatient deep draft sailboat skippers, "You must be patient, after awhile the Swiss will flush their toilets, and then we will go."

Relax. If the water is low, there are worse places to be than sitting on a bucolic European waterway with a drink in your hand.

:-)

<<I find it hard to believe that if you are to be on one of the large river cruisers that the river level could be "that" low. I also doubt that there is much you could do to remedy it at this point.>>

There were dreadful reports of river cruises which could not operate due to low water levels a few years ago - right here on this forum. Many people reported that river cruises turned into awful bus tours. Some people were not advised by the cruise companies ahead of departure and did not learn of the problem until they arrived. Others were advised and given the option to go as planned (though staying in hotels and getting bussed around) or cancel and reschedule.

This is a valid concern. And, you may or may not get a straight answer from your cruise company.

Check other forums, such as CruiseCritic, for reports from people who have returned recently.

Many thanks for all those replies and the useful information that you have all given to us. We leave Australia in four days because we are visiting Iceland first and know there is not much that we can do if the levels are wrong but we are now mentally prepared for anything that will happen. It is so much easier to accept any change if it is not unexpected.

I just retuirned home from biking the length of the Mosel. The levels are fine. Plenty of boats on the river

A few years ago - you're probably referring to the dreadful hot and dry summer of 2003?

This year hasn't been that hot, and we got a normal share of rain. In fact, it is pouring right now in Karlsruhe. The Alps even got fresh snow in July. The levels of the Rhein are normal, and unless we get extreme weather conditions that lead to floodings this won't change. The water level will definitely not fall too low over the next fortnight.

Hi N,

>We are about to set off on a riverboat along the Rhine & Moselle, among the literature is a warning that parts of the riverboat journey may be replaced by coaches if the water levels are too low. <

Am I correct that you are going on a cruise on a riverboat, not piloting yourself?

In that case, stop trying to micromanage.

If you are piloting yourself, should you see big rocks ahead of you, put the boat in reverse and drop anchor.

Enjoy your cruise.

((I))

Yes, we are hoping for a cruise on a riverboat and was just a bit concerned that it might turn into a coach trip, anyway thanks go the many responses here we now have nothing to fear and are really looking forward to it. Many thanks again for everyone's wonderful responses.

riverboat oh my god I hope the philipino staff don't hear you calling it that.

Meanshile the Rhine will be too shallow when the crocodiles are circling

Have a great time, watch out for the steep stairs, try to get away and rent a bike and wizz along to wine festivals. The german TI web site has a list of festivals so go for it

Well we've just got back from the riverboat cruise, the water levels were high enough to keep the boats going but they were being careful not to waste water at the lock gates, if a boat had just gone up the river you'd have to wait for one to come down before they'd let yours in, generally not a problem because the rivers are so busy. The riverboat that we were one, the Avalon Tapestry, had easily the best cruise crew that we had ever come across, the boat was well maintained and everything was generally of a high standard but I don't think that we will ever go on one again. The shore excursions were rather boring, the tour guides with their very poor English all took the easy way out, churches and cathedrals soon become pretty much the same, they must have done something else in the last 2,000 years of their history. We'll stick to escorted coach tours in future.