As a heatwave dries Germany's rivers, government ministers are at odds over what to do about it – re-engineer the waterways or restore them to their natural state.
The debate has flared as precariously falling water levels have revealed vast sandbanks on the Rhine, Danube, Elbe and other rivers, severely impacting cargo shipping crucial for many industries.
With climate change driving new heat records and longer dry spells in Europe and beyond, scientists warn that the problem will intensify in coming years.
Germany's new transport minister, Steffen Bilger, convened a recent crisis summit with shipping, port and logistics operators on the problem impacting the European Union's biggest economy.
The key short-term counter measure he announced was to temporarily lift a ban on truck transports on Sundays and public holidays to help ease cargo bottlenecks.
