Flood Alerts on Rhine: Water Levels to Soar, Shipping Restrictions Implemented
The current downpour and the thaw in the Rhine's southern catchment area mean that its water levels will continue to surge in the forthcoming week. This revelation came from the flood warning service of Rhineland-Palatinate State Office for the Environment on Monday. Banks in some areas may submerge, the spokesperson warned, with the possibility of flooding on the Upper Rhine, which statistically occurs every two to five years. A biennial flood is expected on the Middle Rhine.
Upcoming water level forecasts indicate that at the Maxau gauge near Karlsruhe, located on the border with Rhineland-Palatinate, a rise of 7.80 to 8.30 meters is expected from Tuesday. The Mannheim and Mainz gauges will also observe a rise to the level of a two-year flood. In Koblenz, the water level is slated to exceed 6.00 meters on Tuesday.
Various municipalities across the country are enacting safety measures. For instance, the Koblenz fire department initiated the construction of a flood protection wall in certain areas on Sunday. Moreover, the city started setting up dam beams in an existing protective wall and shut flood protection gates on Monday, according to Koblenz's city officials. Parking is prohibited at specific locations near the river.
As of Monday, shipping restrictions have already been enforced: The high water mark I was surpassed at the Maxau gauge, which means ships must navigate at lowered speed and remain in the middle of the fairway. By Tuesday, high water mark II is anticipated to be surpassed at the Maxau gauge, leading to a complete halt of shipping traffic.
Currently, the water levels on the Moselle are stationary, but they are projected to exceed 6.00 meters again in the middle of the week. However, the water levels on the Nahe, Glan, and Sieg rivers dropped on Monday and are unlikely to reach flood-relevant levels. Likewise, the Lahn shows little chance of reaching flood-relevant levels.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), showers and mild temperatures should prevail on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Insights
To lessen potential flood damage, districts in Coblenz have instituted safety measures such as building a flood protection wall and erecting dam beams in existing walls. Popular tourist sites such as Theushover may be impacted by the growing water levels on the Rhine, as per flood warning services. Precipitation in the Upper Rhine region contributes to the increasing water levels, with expected peaks at the Maxau gauge near Karlsruhe surpassing high water mark II by Tuesday. In response, restrictions have been imposed on parts of the Rhine, including the Middle Rhine, where ships must navigate at slowed speed and multiple lanes.
Authorities are managing and anticipating floods on the Rhine River by implementing various strategies and tools. Advanced flood modeling helps forecast flood peaks to support preventive measures, while long-term water resource management planning addresses the changing dynamics of the river. Multiple adaptation methods, such as dike reinforcements and relocations or the creation of additional peak storage, are on the table. Nature-based solutions and integrated approaches also form part of the flood risk management and water management plans.
