Danube water levels in September

The current figure for September 2027 on the Danube is 57%: the chance a sailing goes ahead as planned, without low water interfering. In short, elevated. Until the live forecast reaches September, about seven months ahead, this is the thirty-year record.

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.

September runs on rain, and early autumn storms often begin the refill. A wet start to the season can make it a lovely, quiet month on the water.

The long record has September running as planned in about 57% of years, 7th calmest of the twelve months on the Danube. Book May or April for the calmest water; December and January are the months to check before you commit.

The last five Septembers, from the official record: 2026 30 low water days · 2025 clear · 2024 clear · 2023 clear · 2022 clear. Year to year it swings: 2026 met low water in September, and 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 stayed clear.

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.