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Flood warnings in Saxony: Elbe water levels in Dresden are rising!
Current information on water levels on the Elbe in Dresden, flood warnings and important data from August 17th, 2025.
Flood warnings in Saxony: Elbe water levels in Dresden are rising!
Today, August 17, 2025, residents and authorities in Saxony are once again faced with a tricky challenge: the water levels of the Elbe are a hot topic as flood warnings have been issued for various regions. These warnings are particularly important because the Elbe is one of the largest rivers in Europe, rising from the Czech Republic and flowing through many regions of eastern Germany to its mouth in the North Sea near Brunsbüttel.
In Dresden, one of the busiest cities on the Elbe, current water levels must be closely monitored. The mean low water level (MNW) of the Elbe in Dresden is 67 cm, while the mean high water level (MHW) is 458 cm. According to the DNN Critical water levels are already reached at 5.5 meters, which leads to the terrace bank being closed. The flood protection gate on Weißeritzstrasse is only activated when the water level reaches 6.10 meters, while the Ostraufer can only offer protection at 7 meters.
Flood warning levels and their meaning
The warning levels for floods in Saxony are clearly defined. Alert level 1 marks the small floods where the first floods occur, while in alert level 2 the medium floods can cause damage to green spaces. Alert level 3 indicates major flooding with potential flooding of properties, and alert level 4 indicates very major flooding of large areas.
The highest water level ever measured in Dresden is 940 cm and dates back to August 17, 2002. In contrast, a low water level of only 21 cm is also factually documented. To inform the population about such extreme weather events, warnings are communicated through various channels, including radio, television, sirens and modern warning apps. The city of Dresden has also updated its website with information on flood measures.
The local relevance of the Elbe
The Elbe touches not only Dresden, but also other important places such as Dessau, Magdeburg and Wittenberge, highlighting the need to continuously monitor water levels. Due to the geographical and climatic conditions, water levels are of crucial importance for the safety of the population and the integrity of the country.
Readers who are interested in current developments or would like to learn more about the background to the subject of floods and low waters can find a lot more information and statistics on the website DataGolf.