The river figures here are our own count of raw gauge records, 2000 to 2025. They come from the German water authority, which has not checked the raw data. Our press page has the method. They describe past conditions, not a forecast for your dates.
Which months does the river run low?
Late summer and autumn. The table shows how many days in 100 sat below each gauge's low-water mark. Kaub is on the German Rhine. Hofkirchen is on the German Danube, near Passau.
| Month | Rhine at Kaub: days in 100 under 77 cm | Danube at Hofkirchen: days in 100 under 207 cm |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.0 | 5.2 |
| February | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| March | 0 | 0 |
| April | 0 | 0.5 |
| May | 0.6 | 4.3 |
| June | 0 | 5.4 |
| July | 1.7 | 13 |
| August | 7.1 | 16 |
| September | 5.8 | 16 |
| October | 7.7 | 13 |
| November | 13 | 13 |
| December | 2.6 | 6.0 |
On the Rhine, March to June ran lowest, under 1 day in 100. On the Danube, July to November ran at 13 to 16. Twelve of the 26 years had at least one day under the Kaub mark.
Is there a level at which cruises stop?
No. There's no official reading at which a river cruise stops. The marks in the table are the authority's own reference levels. They are not cruise limits. Thresholds published elsewhere are second-hand, so we leave them out.
A gauge reading is a height on a scale at one spot. It is not the depth of the water.
Was 2026 a low year?
Yes, the lowest on record in this data. Up to 18 October, Kaub's lowest daily average was -5 cm. The previous lowest since 2000 was 25 cm, in 2018. Hofkirchen's lowest was 129 cm, against 155 cm in 2022.
Kaub had 98 days under 77 cm in those 291 days. 2018 had 104 in the whole year. So 2018 still has the most low days. Both are single years, not a trend.
What happens to my cruise if the river is too low?
It depends on the line. AmaWaterways' FAQ says it watches river conditions and has plans ready. We read it on 21 October 2026. Those can include:
- docking somewhere else
- changing the excursions
- swapping ships
Other lines set their own plans, so ask yours.
What are my rights if the itinerary changes?
If your cruise is part of a combined holiday, the 2018 travel regulations apply. A big itinerary change before you go lets you accept it, or end the contract with no fee. On board, a part that isn't as agreed can earn a price cut. Our page on a cancelled or cut-short river cruise sets out each rule.
Do other travellers worry about this?
Yes, and it rose in summer 2026. 112 of 1,862 river cruise posts were mainly about water levels. They're from groups that are mostly American. In the group with a full year of posts, the share jumped in summer. It was 19% of posts in July 2026 (22 of 116). In August it was 22% (14 of 65). In October, to the 19th, it was 35% (9 of 26), a small base. Source: published trip questions and reports we analysed (October 2025 to October 2026).
We also counted one group about one line's river cruises, where a quarter of posts mention the UK. 63 of 867 posts there were mainly about water levels (June to October 2026).
How do I lower the odds?
Pick the month with the table in mind. Spring ran lowest on the Rhine, and March ran lowest on both rivers.
None of the Nile cruise reviews we analysed described a low-water change. Our Nile cruises pages cover that trip.
Going to the Christmas markets? November ran at 13 in 100 days on both gauges, and December lower. Our Christmas market cruise page has the dates.
What should I ask before I book?
Our travel team says changes to an itinerary are uncommon. If one happens to your trip, our travel team at The JLT Group handles it with you. Still, ask these before you pay:
- What do you do if the river is too low on my dates?
- Would I change ships, take a coach, or both?
- Who pays for any hotel night or transfer that's added?
- Is my cruise a combined holiday?
- What are the fees if I cancel?
Get the answers in writing. Our wider list of questions to ask before booking covers the rest. Then tell our travel team your river and month, using the form below.