Overview
- WSA’s Andreas Schultz says ice now extends from the Elbe riverbed to roughly ten meters high near Geesthacht.
- Six icebreakers are working continuously and up to ten have been deployed overall, the largest number reported since 2013.
- Recent downstream flow was about 300,000 liters per second, well below the roughly 500,000 liters per second WSA says is needed to flush the ice.
- Icebreakers can only operate at higher water because low levels risk vessels touching the riverbed, and the affected section has been closed to navigation.
- Breaking efforts have stranded large slabs along the banks, drawing crowds and slowing traffic, while local reports caution that another frost could return this week.