Driel sluice opened as record low river levels halt Dutch ferry services

Rijkswaterstaat fully opened the stuw (sluice) at Driel, known as the “kraan van Nederland”, after the Nederrijn reached unprecedented low water levels. The water level at Lobith fell below the 2022 low‑record and continued to drop, prompting the agency to open the vizierschuiven for the first time. The Driel complex now hands over its regulating function to the nearby Amerongen complex and distributes water among the Rhine, Waal and IJssel, helping to keep the IJsselmeer supplied for drinking water, agriculture, nature and fish passages.

Because of the low water in the IJssel, the Rheden‑Rhederlaag ferry was taken out of service on 2 August, following an earlier suspension of the Dieren‑Olburgen ferry. Operators said the water level is too low to moor safely, even though larger cargo ships can still navigate. Rijkswaterstaat explained that without the Driel sluice, much more water would flow down the Rhine, leaving the IJssel nearly dry and jeopardising the IJsselmeer’s water balance. The unusually low levels are attributed to a lack of rain and reduced meltwater from the Alps.