Water Shortage: First Sections of Upper Weser No Longer Navigable

The Upper Weser River is facing significant navigation challenges as water levels drop to critical lows, rendering some sections impassable. The Edertalsperre dam in North Hesse is releasing insufficient water, a situation that has led to the suspension of regular ferry services and impacted local tourism.

The Flotte Weser company has announced the suspension of its scheduled routes between Hameln and Bodenwerder starting July 25, 2026, due to the low water levels. Small Weser tours from Bodenwerder are also canceled, though tours from Hameln may still operate. The Poller ferry in Holzminden is also operating with restrictions, limiting capacity to 7.5 tons, which could cause longer waiting times.

Water levels at the Hann. Münden gauge have fallen drastically, measured at 70 centimeters on July 24, 2026, well below the 120-centimeter minimum required for navigation. This decline is expected to affect water levels further downstream, including in Hameln. The Edertalsperre, crucial for maintaining navigability during summer, is currently filled to less than 30% of its capacity, holding approximately 40 billion liters instead of the usual 153 billion. Consequently, the dam has been releasing only the minimum required water since early Wednesday.