Rhine water levels in October

October 2027 currently gives a Rhine cruise a 53% chance of going exactly as planned: high risk. Until the live forecast reaches October, about seven months ahead, this is the thirty-year record.

Affected rarely means canceled. On the Rhine it usually means a ship swap, a rerouted day, or a stretch covered by bus, almost always at the gorge between Rüdesheim and Koblenz. That shallow reach decides every Amsterdam to Basel itinerary.

October is the month that varies most: when autumn rain arrives, the rivers recover quickly and the gorge scenery is at its best. The five-year record below shows how often that happens.

Across thirty years of records, October ran as planned on the Rhine in about 53% of years, 9th calmest of the twelve months. The calmest months here are June and April; November and January lean hardest on the rain.

The last five Octobers, from the official record: 2026 27 low water days · 2025 2 low water days · 2024 clear · 2023 14 low water days · 2022 clear. Of the last five, 2026, 2025 and 2023 hit low water; 2024 and 2022 sailed clear.

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 Rhine page.