Rhine water levels 2022 and similar topics

[RDVIK2016]

On 9/25/2022 at 10:49 AM, notamermaid said:

Andernach on the Rhine is geologically kind of the eastern end of an active volcanic area, the Vulkaneifel, although there are extinct volcanoes on the other side of the Rhine as well. Those are much older and belong to a different geological era. I say active as recent years have shown much activity deep down in the ground. Notable for us casual visitors to the area are the bubbles in lakes and the (cold water) geysers.

 This is the Vulkaneifel: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulkaneifel#/media/Datei:Eifel_-_Deutsche_Mittelgebirge,_Serie_A-de.png

 

West of Andernach, i.e. in the hills behind, you can find the typical buildings made of the volcanic stones and museums dedicated to volcanism. But the different types of stone are also actively mined. So that is the stone, what about the beer that I mentioned in an earlier post? This is a story about the special relationship between the geology of the area and the brewers that took advantage of it. I leave it to a presenter of the regional television station SWR to tell you the story. SWR has kindly subtitled the series about special stones in Rhineland-Palatinate with English (or French, or Dutch) subtitles. Here is the Eifel stone, basalt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o_-IqTznfU

 

Recently, experts have started recording the volcanic activity in the Eifel region with new methods and appear to come to the conclusion that the Eifel is more active than previously thought. Therefore the term "extinct" is no longer used for the whole of the Eifel volcanoes. A minimal rise in elevation has been detected in the whole area, meaning there is pressure from within the earth's crust, from the lava plume deep down. A disturbing thought? The centre doing the mapping reassures us that there is absolutely no hint of an eruption any time in the future that may be relevant to us. A German article about the seismic measure mapping project: https://www.vulkane.net/blogmobil/vulkaneifel-seismische-messkampagne-gestartet/

 

As a result of all the CO2 making its way up through the ground, mineral water companies and producers of carbon dioxide for industry are major employers in the area.

 

notamermaid

 

 

Thank you for this information.  One of my sons was stationed in the USAF at Spangdahlem and told me about the volcanic character of the geology nearby and my youngest son has studied geology at university, so this is of much interest to us. 

 

CO2 is a byproduct of using carbon atoms from the burning of natural gas and combining them with oxygen atoms. With the cut backs in natural gas supplies from Russia to western Europe, I hear that there is a developing shortage of CO2 for the breweries.  I wonder how much natural CO2 can be economically captured, although it could be brought on line in the short term.  

[NJPA79]

12 hours ago, Canal archive said:

There is a very nice Christmas shop in Ruedesheim near the Mechanical Music Museum

There sure is!  I was just there a couple weeks ago.  Bought a few nutcrackers.  

[Canal archive]

The last time we were there they told us that they had just opened a branch in York now I know it’s a nice city but the journey to Rudesheim is much more fun.

[notamermaid]

9 hours ago, NJPA79 said:

There sure is!  I was just there a couple weeks ago.  Bought a few nutcrackers.  

Oh nice. Not a fan of nutcrackers but I would love to see their baubles range. Perhaps I will find some time between now and Advent to hop in the car and drive there.

https://www.kaethe-wohlfahrt.com/en/kaethe-wohlfahrt-ruedesheim-en/

 

I have walked past the shop in York, the one in Riquewihr and the one in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Never had time to browse.

 

Personally I like many of the designs of Inge-Glas, which you can get online and in some good home accessories shops. Probably also on some Christmas markets.

 

But back to autumn. It is a delight to walk to the greengrocers right now. Chestnuts, autumn fruits, pumpkins in all colours and shapes. Even saw butternut squash which is not a standard offer but seems to be coming more to my area these days. The first bottles of Federweisser (young wine). And I nearly bought some Weinbergspfirsich, the peaches from the Moselle, but would have been too busy to prepare them. Maybe on another day.

 

Nearly forgot: Kaub is at 107cm.

 

notamermaid

 

[Canal archive]

When we toured on our scooters we were handed packs of peaches by young ladies in local costume when we left Carcassonne another beautiful city very difficult drive until we managed to stop.

[notamermaid]

On 9/27/2022 at 4:37 AM, RDVIK2016 said:

Thank you for this information.  One of my sons was stationed in the USAF at Spangdahlem and told me about the volcanic character of the geology nearby and my youngest son has studied geology at university, so this is of much interest to us. 

Spangdahlem, have heard of the airbase of course. But I have not been very close or in the grounds. I think I have used the motorway nearby a few times. It is not the remotest part of the Eifel but certainly in the hills away from major towns. The volcanoes are not in abundance in the area, most of them are further Northeast. I think the closest one to Spangdahlem is the Kellerberg, about 16 minutes drive by car.

 

You can follow the volcano route to find out more. Possibly the weirdest thing is the "lava bomb": https://www.deutsche-vulkanstrasse.com/en/geology/lavabombe

That area of the Eifel is partly more accessible from the Moselle than the Rhine.

 

Going back closer to the Rhine, here is some info on the Kaiserstuhl volcanoes that are much older. Unlike almost all of the Eifel volcanoes, these in the South of Germany are clad in vineyards. This is one producer: https://staatsweingut-freiburg.de/the-volcanic-kaiserstuhl

 

notamermaid

 

 

[notamermaid]

Update: the river is rising well. Maxau gauge has gone up to 552cm(!) which is above the mean. Low water? You can more or less forget that - apart from on the Lower Rhine where we have established that it causes few problems for river cruise ships. The high volume of water will be coming to Kaub shortly. The gauge there reads 130cm. No gauges on the Rhine are now classified as official low water, all looking good going into October. Going into the weekend, the high volume of water will reach Cologne and eventually the Netherlands.

 

Temperatures a little on the cool side.

 

Danube and Elbe also looking very good now.

 

Monthly summary to follow.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

On 9/27/2022 at 4:37 AM, RDVIK2016 said:

With the cut backs in natural gas supplies from Russia to western Europe, I hear that there is a developing shortage of CO2 for the breweries.

Perhaps the bubbles in the Baltic Sea from the "strangely suddenly accidentally leaking itself which Germany says was deliberate human intervention" pipe could be repurposed. Would that be reuse or recycling? It is certainly wasted and it is not good for the climate to have bubbles go to waste.

 

Okay, sarcasm off. My point is that we have started to feel the trickle down effect of policies and happenings most people do not want. Breweries, photocopier paper high price rise, butter 20 percent up, heating gas prices going up and up, firewood shortage, etc. Almost everything. Things are not going as well as we would like and call me a boring old disgruntled local but you can partly attribute my unhappiness about all this to my boss stipulating that my office must be kept at 19 degrees Celsius only.

 

Oh, and I put the heating on a few days ago as I did not want to shower in a 17 degrees Celsius bathroom. There is a limit to feeling uncomfortable.

 

I do wonder what will come for the tourism industry.

 

But on a happier note, before this becomes a monologue...

 

The Rhine valley in my area was covered in fog this morning. While it can be disappointing to not see much during cruising you can occasionally get some atmospheric or even spooky photos out of it. If you have just been on the river or are sailing now, whenever you feel like it, do post. Foggy or sunny, all images welcome.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[Port Power]

23 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Things are not going as well as we would like and call me a boring old disgruntled local but you can partly attribute my unhappiness about all this to my boss stipulating that my office must be kept at 19 degrees Celsius only.

 

Oh, and I put the heating on a few days ago as I did not want to shower in a 17 degrees Celsius bathroom. There is a limit to feeling uncomfortable.
 

notamermaid

 

 

I wonder if it’s because you live in a colder climate that you want heating when the room temperature is 17C?  I would hate to have heating on at that temperature.  Currently it is cooler here in the mornings, about 14C, but I don’t turn the heat lamps on.  Definitely I do at <12C though!  Today was a lovely, sunny spring day, warmer than average at 29C.

 

 

I appreciate your reports and insights, and am looking forward to being on the rivers in a couple of weeks.  

[notamermaid]

Nice to hear from Australia, hello!

5 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Currently it is cooler here in the mornings, about 14C, but I don’t turn the heat lamps on.

I tend to get cold easily. We have had cooler than average nights and I think coming from 32 Celsius in the afternoon to 18 Celsius in the afternoon was a shock to my system. The rain and the temperatures that went down to 6 Celsius at night cooled out the flat fast. I think I have adapted now more or less, a bit of extra fat in my diet should help as well. And hot chocolate.

 

14 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I appreciate your reports and insights, and am looking forward to being on the rivers in a couple of weeks.  

Thank you. Which rivers?

 

notamermaid

 

 

[Port Power]

3 hours ago, notamermaid said:

 

Thank you. Which rivers?

 

notamermaid

 

 

Rhine, Main and Danube through to Bucharest.

Edited September 29, 2022 by Port Power

[notamermaid]

7 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Rhine, Main and Danube.

Ah, so the Grand European. Hope the autumn colours will be splendid, the timing is about right. Have a great cruise.

 

notamermaid

 

[jrkstl]

Thanks so much notamermaid for your frequent river level updates! We embark on the Viking “Cities of Light” cruise next Friday in Bamberg, and I’m thrilled that things seem to be in much better shape. Been following details for most of this year. Even though our first river cruise on the Danube in 2015 involved a ship swap, it’s so good to know that this is probably not happening this time 😀

[gnome12]

@notamermaidMet my sister at the airport and we just enjoyed a lovely train trip down “your” Rhine from Mainz to Koblenz. Saw a fair number of river cruise boats, and castles. Currently on the train along the Moselle to Cochem. Thanks for your advice about train tickets. 

[notamermaid]

11 hours ago, jrkstl said:

We embark on the Viking “Cities of Light” cruise next Friday in Bamberg, and I’m thrilled that things seem to be in much better shape.

Yes, things looking much better on the river. By the way, for anyone contemplating this itinerary:

1. No shallows on the Main

2. Main controlled by locks, no low water, see above

3. Sundeck closed on the Main on many ships due to low bridges

4. Rhine shallows are a potential problem (Rhine Gorge)

5. Moselle no shallows (99 percent), locks control water levels all the way into France

6. High water can happen anywhere, river closure applies in flooding (individuals stretches as stipulated by the authorities)

 

Autumn colours are starting.

 

Have a great trip.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

5 hours ago, gnome12 said:

Met my sister at the airport and we just enjoyed a lovely train trip down “your” Rhine from Mainz to Koblenz.

Good to read that everything has worked out so far and you got the train tickets okay.

 

Hope you have a good evening in Cochem and you will find the ship to be welcoming and cosy.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

News in brief due to limited time this weekend. Busy at work and computer problems. Through work I have been reading up on the insolvency at Engers Palace near Koblenz. It is now clear that the hotel and restaurant will close for good during this autumn and there is no takeover by another investor. Not sure what will happen to the other buildings (other than them closing) but the hotel rooms in the Palace itself will come under the management of the music school and academy. I think this means that there should be no change to how Avalonwaterways organizes their dockings at Engers as the concert hall and all other connected facilities will still operate. Please contact Avalonwaterways if you want to find out more.

 

Kaub gauge: 241cm and rising. Peak of this current wave expected at Mainz during the night, so at Kaub during tomorrow. Maxau gauge falling again so no high water levels that could lead to flooding. Rainy weekend, temperatures due to rise to 20 Celsius in warm regions next week.

 

notamermaid

 

[JAG64]

On 10/1/2022 at 3:11 AM, notamermaid said:

Yes, things looking much better on the river. By the way, for anyone contemplating this itinerary:

1. No shallows on the Main

2. Main controlled by locks, no low water, see above

3. Sundeck closed on the Main on many ships due to low bridges

4. Rhine shallows are a potential problem (Rhine Gorge)

5. Moselle no shallows (99 percent), locks control water levels all the way into France

6. High water can happen anywhere, river closure applies in flooding (individuals stretches as stipulated by the authorities)

 

Autumn colours are starting.

 

Have a great trip.

 

notamermaid

 

Awesome updates! Still have my fingers crossed for smooth sailing on 16 November Budapest to Amsterdam. Thanks so much!

 

[notamermaid]

11 hours ago, JAG64 said:

16 November Budapest to Amsterdam.

Thanks for following along. Still a good five more weeks to go. So much time in which anything can happen on the rivers. Well, as you have read, not so much on the Main. At the moment I would say anything goes, low water, high water. Or completely smooth and uneventful. I will not put my money on any scenario...

 

So you may see Christmas markets in all the ports. Just a note on Sunday of the Dead: depending on where you are on that day, you may find the Christmas market in that town closed during the day.

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

Andernach - just a tip. I like macarons, the real French stuff. France is a bit far so luckily I have been able to find an alternative on a trip in the Northern part of my state. At the railway line, on the town side, is a café with shop: https://stephany-lifestyle-patisserie.business.site/

The macarons are very tasty, the petit four adorable and the accessories shop will keep the ladies busy for quite a few minutes. Two sisters run it, at least one of them is a Konditormeisterin, I think that is a master confectioner. Expertly hand-made sweet indulgence, they use Valrona chocolate they say. Should you happen to be in town. Of course you can find similar cafés in other touristy towns. I know I am repeating myself, but if you venture a bit further away from the Old Town check out Café Baumann in Koblenz on Löhrstrasse.

 

If you have just come from Strasbourg in France you do not need all those recommendations of course. 🙂

 

notamermaid

 

[notamermaid]

I am back on track, so hear is a bit of info. The river does what it always does, rise and fall, in the last week in a more or less uneventful way, i.e. no consequences for river cruising. There was a mild accident between a river cruise ship and a barge, but both ships sailed on after quick inspection by police. No names disclosed.

 

People are celebrating harvest; we have had reunification day with celebrations and protests. The lights are still on, the prices are rising and into the happy nature of Rhinelanders is mixed a certain level of nervousness about winter and increased mask wearing. Of the latter I would say a rise from 1 percent to 5 percent. Not much but noticeable.

 

Federweisser young wine is in the shops. Try with caution...

 

The weather is foggy with sunny spells and dry.

 

Further upstream exhibitions in a few museums have a focus on the Upper Rhine valley. Will look into that more.

 

Another river cruise ship hull has made it from Serbia to the Netherlands, it is the "Rheingold". The people on Binnenschifferforum have already spotted the next river cruise ship hull transport on the Danube, it is called "Gentlemen".

 

River level update to follow.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[worldtraveller99]

In the UK a number of Christmas events have just been cancelled, due to a worry re lack of electricity / Local Council funds running out. Please tell me there is no similar concern in Germany, notamermaid?

[notamermaid]

22 minutes ago, worldtraveller99 said:

Please tell me there is no similar concern in Germany, notamermaid?

Sorry to disappoint you but those concerns exist here. So far I have heard of only one institution/volunteer group saying that light decorations will be reduced. It is early in autumn so I am hoping for the best. Will see how it goes. I cannot imagine major events being cancelled, but not much can surprise me these days. Smaller charity events with local volunteers may find things a struggle but I have not looked into it yet. So far I have not read about cancellations. I am still in autumn events mode so catching up with news and my mind is not in winter yet. If I read anything major I will post it.

 

notamermaid

 

[worldtraveller99]

Thank you!

 

[Canal archive]

I don’t mind lights being cancelled for genuine reasons maybe some groups are ‘beginning to actually see the light’. Although Blackpool have had a bit of forward thinking evidently every light bulb has been replaced by LEDs so far their light show is still on.