Danube water levels in September

The current figure for September 2026 on the Danube is 59%: the chance a sailing runs into low water at the shallowest stretch. In short, high risk. It comes from the live forecast, which updates each morning.

September runs on rain alone: no melt is coming, and a dry late summer keeps drawing the rivers down. Recovery depends entirely on when the autumn storms arrive.

The long record puts September at low water in about 40% of years, 11th calmest of the twelve months on the Danube. Book May or April for the calmest water; August and September carry the most risk.

The last five Septembers, from the official record: 2025 clear · 2024 clear · 2023 clear · 2022 clear · 2021 clear. None of the last five Septembers hit low water.

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.

To turn this into a date-specific answer, use the cruise checker. The wider picture is on the Danube page and in when to go.