Germany's dry rivers spark battle on engineering vs restoration
An empty cargo ship navigates at the Duisburg harbor during low water levels of Rhine River caused by a heat wave and a prolonged drought in Duisburg, Germany. Tuesday. Aug. 11, 2026.
As a heat wave 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.
