Overview

• The Elbe at Magdeburg’s Strombrücke gauge reached a daily average of 44 centimeters on July 10, likely surpassing the 45-centimeter low of summer 2019.
• The Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde reports that Rhine and Danube water levels have rebounded by several centimeters while the Elbe and Oder basins remain critically low.
• BUND Sachsen says the river has undershot the 1.40-meter navigation depth on over 120 days this year, with more than 60 days below one meter, rendering it unviable for freight transport.
• Ferry service between Darchau and Neu Darchau remains suspended, prompting a local canoe rental to ferry commuters free of charge and save residents up to an hour of travel time.
• Environmental groups argue that roughly €430 million spent on Elbe maintenance since 2013 has failed to prevent worsening drought impacts and call for a fundamental overhaul of waterway policy.