Danube water levels in July

For July 2027 the Danube stands at 27% low water risk at its shallowest stretch: elevated. It reflects the thirty-year record for July; the live forecast reaches this month about seven months out.

By July the melt is tapering and the rivers begin their slow summer decline. Most years hold up; a hot, dry early summer shows first in the shallow reaches.

July has hit low water in roughly 27% of the past thirty years on this river, 4th calmest of the twelve months. May and April run calmest on the Danube, August and September riskiest.

The last five Julys, from the official record: 2026 28 low water days · 2025 4 low water days · 2024 clear · 2023 clear · 2022 6 low water days. 2024 and 2023 came through July clear; 2026, 2025 and 2022 did not.

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.