Rhine Low Water Crisis
The Rhine Low Water Crisis was the August 2022 drought on Germany's Rhine River, when water at the Kaub gauge fell to about 30 centimeters and barges could carry only small loads or stopped sailing.
What happened and why it matters
The 2022 Rhine drought showed that climate-driven water levels can choke inland freight routes, a risk that now appears regularly as low water surcharges. The Rhine carries large volumes of containers, coal, chemicals, and fuel between Rotterdam and inland Europe. In mid-August 2022 the Kaub gauge dropped to about 30 centimeters; many barges find it uneconomical to pass at 40 centimeters or below, so operators sailed partly loaded or stopped, and companies stockpiled materials and shifted freight to rail. For shippers with European inland supply chains, the lesson is to watch river forecasts, budget for surcharges, and keep rail or truck alternatives ready.