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Steamer on the Elbe again on the move – fancy a trip?
Find out how the Saxon steamship in Dresden is back in operation after drought and current water levels on the Elbe.
Steamer on the Elbe again on the move – fancy a trip?
Excursion boating on the Elbe in Dresden has recently revived after the persistent drought and the resulting low water level severely restricted activities. The Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt is currently optimistic and has announced that line 31 will be used again to Pirna from Tuesday. This is good news for all excursion enthusiasts who want to enjoy the beautiful landscape along the Elbe. That's why the city tours have been back on the program since Monday. Another step towards normality: From Wednesday, the steamer “Diesbar” will be used on the Weinland line between Meißen and Seußlitz, as [MDR](https://www.mdr.de/nachrichten/sachsen/dresden/dresden-radebeul/elbe-wasserstand-ebene-weisse- Flotte-faehren-ausflug-100.html) reports.
The company's spokespersons state that trips are currently always planned two days in advance, but spontaneous adjustments are also possible if water levels rise. This flexible approach demonstrates that Saxon Steam Shipping has a good knack for reacting to changing conditions.
Ferries back in service
In addition to the steamships, the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) has also announced that all ferries are back in operation. This means that passengers on the Elbe no longer have any restrictions when it comes to exploring the region. The only thing that needs to be kept in mind is the water level: On Monday, a water level of only 68 centimeters was measured in Dresden, while 87 centimeters were recorded in Pirna, as the reporting by n-tv impressively shows.
Water level stability
Particular attention is paid to the fluctuations in the water level of the Elbe, which was around 3.99 meters on April 20, 2023 and fell to up to 3.87 meters over the course of the day. Despite this challenge, Alert Level 1 remains in place, indicating potential fluctuations from levies from Czech dams. A certain degree of caution is therefore required, as the high water levels during the flood of the century in 2002 are remembered as 9.40 meters, while the normal water level below the Augustus Bridge is only two meters.
The Saxon steamship is not only a tourist attraction, but also part of the region's cultural heritage. Historic steamships and the extensive range of steamship services are an attraction for many visitors who want to explore the Saxon landscape from the water. This is a valuable part of the region's tourist offering, which is complemented by the variety of historic railways, such as the Lößnitzgrundbahn or the Dresden Transport Museum. Other transport history institutions such as the narrow-gauge railway museum in Wilsdruff and the traditional railway Radebeul e.V. also contribute to the enthusiasm for Saxon steamshipping, reports the website of the Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt.