Ferries cancelled as rivers drop to record low levels in drought

Several ferries across the Waal and IJssel rivers in Gelderland have been cancelled after the major Dutch rivers dropped to historically low levels in July.

The service across the Pannerdensch Kanaal, near where the Rhine flows into the Waal, between Doornenburg and Pannerden was stopped on Monday morning. The ferry operator said on its website it had taken the decision “to guarantee safety”.

The Rheden ferry, which takes pedestrians and cyclists across the IJssel at Rhederlaag, ran its last service on Monday evening.

Helmsman Richard van Oijen told Omroep Gelderland it was an unprecedented step. “We’ve been out of service in the past, but it was always because of high water.

“This is the first time I can remember not being able to run because of low water.”

Uitwaarde, which runs 10 connecting ferries in Gelderland, has suspended three of its routes across the Waal and Linge rivers because of low water.

The Rhine last week dropped to 6.46m, its lowest level, above sea level at Lobith, the point where the river enters the Netherlands from Germany. This week it is expected to fall another 11 centimetres.

River barges

The flow in the river is down to around one-third of its regular level for July, causing problems for cargo barges and river cruises. Several cruise operators have had to cancel or shorten trips upriver because the water is too low.

Restrictions have also been imposed on river barges, while nearer the river mouth sluice gates have been closed or limited to a few openings a day to prevent sea water getting into the drinking water supply.

The canal locks at Eefde, which up to 20,000 ships pass through a year between the IJssel river and the Twentekanaal, were closed for the first time last Friday, closing off traffic to Almelo, Hengelo and Enschede.

Deventer closed its harbour to shipping for the first time in eight years last week after the IJssel dropped below safe levels.