Peak levels soon reached on the Rhine, Moselle and Saar
After further rainfall at the weekend, the water levels on the Rhine, Moselle and Saar are expected to reach their highest levels in the coming days. This is according to a report published on Monday by the Rhine Flood Forecasting Center. Depending on the location, continuously falling water levels are expected from Tuesday or Wednesday.
For the Koblenz gauge on the Middle Rhine, a maximum level of 5.80 meters is expected in the midday hours on Monday. Water levels are expected to fall from the middle of the week. At the Maxau gauge between Wörth am Rhein in Rhineland-Palatinate and Karlsruhe (Baden-Württemberg), the control center expects a slight rise to around 7.80 meters on Monday. A plateau of 5.37 meters was measured in Mainz on Monday morning. From Tuesday or Wednesday, the water levels in Maxau and Mainz are also expected to fall continuously.
A critical mark has currently been exceeded in the Maxau area, and ships are no longer allowed to sail on the corresponding section of the Rhine near Karlsruhe. A first high water mark for shipping has also been exceeded at all Upper and Middle Rhine gauges from Speyer to Cologne.
The water levels on the Moselle may initially stagnate or rise slightly from Monday to Tuesday due to predicted rainfall, according to the forecasting center. Levels are expected to fall from Tuesday until the weekend. This development is also expected for the Saar.
The weather conditions contributing to the high water levels also affect the shipping on the Rhine, causing a halt in boat traffic near Karlsruhe due to the exceeded critical mark. The shipping on the Saar river might also be affected as the water levels are predicted to follow a similar pattern.
Source: www.dpa.com
