And here we go again:
Summer is beginning, and the usual headlines are filling the pages of the media, such as:
“Is the Elbe River in Magdeburg Facing a Historic Low Water Level?” or “Low Water Levels Are Disrupting Shipping.”
These alarm messages are now broadcast every year, and they could cause people to worry.
Last year, headlines read: “Elbe River at All-Time Low” or “Water levels on the Elbe in Magdeburg are lower than ever.”
But last summer, Simon was already on site along the Elbe, explaining what the low water levels were all about and
what tricks are used to generate fear-mongering headlines.
In this program, learn what the Elbe River looked like in 1904, for example, and what reasons for concern actually exist.
Hey! I read something interesting in one of the latest issues of S&G.
If you're not familiar with S&G yet, check it out here.
The S&G article referred to a *Der Spiegel* article from July of this year with the headline:
"The Elbe River has reached a historic low near Magdeburg."
Excerpt from the *Spiegel* article: “The water level of the Elbe River near Magdeburg has fallen to a historic low.”
At the Strombrücke, the water level was 44 centimeters.
"That would be the lowest water level ever recorded at this location."
Other media outlets also sensed an opportunity and ran headlines such as: “Elbe at its
lowest water level ever,” as reported by *Bild*.
And: “The water level of the Elbe River in Magdeburg is lower than ever,” says MDR.
The *Der Spiegel* article continues: “The environmental organization BUND is alarmed.”
"In light of the low water levels, she is calling for consideration of ending shipping on the Elbe."
Changing the subject: If by any chance you need a postcard from this beautiful spot where I’m standing right now, but you don’t
really like the relatively new bridge in the background, I have a postcard here of what I believe is the bridge before that one—it
used to stand a few hundred meters further downstream back then.
The postcard is actually a bit older—it's from 1904, to be exact.
Here you can see the bridge as it was back then, and below it, a few children splashing around in the waters of the Elbe.
15 centimeters above sea level at the measuring station.
Maybe I should send this postcard to *Der Spiegel* later, with a few helpful notes on the back—for example, that comparing
water level readings is a bit tricky because the Elbe has been dredged several times to accommodate shipping traffic.
Today, the Elbe River is deeper, the riverbed is narrower, and as a result, the water flows faster.
As a result, the same water level usually results in a higher flow rate than before.
Water levels have been measured in Magdeburg since 1772.
In fact, the lowest documented flow rate of the Elbe at the Magdeburg Strombrücke—the location under review—is not
this year’s approximately 130 cubic meters per second, but rather 95 cubic meters per second from the year 1904.
Let's take a closer look at the example year 1904.
The Sächsische Zeitung published several photos related to this.
Since we shouldn't compare the levels anyway, let's just compare the pictures instead.
Here, too, you can see children swimming.
People searching for treasures that had fallen into the river, and boats that their owners from Gag had
pulled along the riverbank in horse-drawn carriages.
Or here's a little game of skat under the bridge pier.
The entire article in the *Sächsische Zeitung* describes the many small, special events taking place along the
dried-up Elbe in a relatively cheerful and relaxed tone.
Did people back then—without today’s caring and considerate media—simply not think far enough ahead to allow
for the appropriate level of panic in such a situation?
Here's a video from the "Catastrophic Year of Low Water Levels, 2025" for a direct visual comparison.
If this year is the worst year since water level records began, why, the SZ asks:
“Crossing the river now, despite its supposedly low water level, is extremely dangerous. But
in 1904, even that was possible.” End of quote.
The MDR also warns: “The police point out that the water level does not correspond to the actual water depth.”
It is still not possible to cross the Elbe on foot.
"Any attempts would be life-threatening due to the current."
Oh, I see. Well, okay. The worst drying up of the Elbe was probably also a bit “asymptomatic”
and not very noticeable, just like with COVID-19.
This leaves us with the question: Why do our media outlets try to use every event—even one that’s only halfway relevant—to
the climate crisis for the sake of our climate education?
This question is explored in this excellent Kla.TV report, which I'd like to recommend to you here.
A minor spoiler: This section clearly identifies the origins, the initiators, and the names of those profiting from
this business model, and explains how the whole thing works.
So check it out! Ciao.