Danube water levels in August

August 2026 currently carries a 75% chance of low water trouble on the Danube at its shallowest stretch: high risk. It comes from the live forecast, which updates each morning.

By August the Alpine snow bank is spent, and the rivers live on whatever rain the summer brings. Hot, dry summers show up here first.

Across thirty years of records, August brought low water to the Danube in about 27% of years, the riskiest of the twelve months. The calmest months here are May and April; the most exposed are August and September.

The last five Augusts, from the official record: 2025 clear · 2024 clear · 2023 2 low water days · 2022 11 low water days · 2021 clear. Of the last five, 2023 and 2022 hit low water; 2025, 2024 and 2021 sailed clear.

Affected rarely means canceled. On the Danube it means ship swaps or bus days on the shallow reach between Straubing and Vilshofen and through the Wachau valley.

Sailing on specific dates? The cruise checker scores your exact window, day by day. For the whole season, see when to go or the full Danube page.