On 8 September 2026, the average daily discharge of the Rhine at Basel-Kleinhüningen was about 444 m³/s, with a daily minimum of 291 m³/s and a daily maximum of 576 m³/s. Based on all daily measurements since 2020, this average daily discharge was lower than 1% of recorded daily values, indicating exceptionally low flow conditions. The maximum discharge on that day ranked 14th over the last 30 days, 8th among all September days since 2020, and was also among the lowest maxima recorded for any day since 2020.

Over the past 30 days, the highest discharge was 817 m³/s on 22 August 2026, while the lowest was 323 m³/s on 7 September 2026. The current low-flow period is reflected in Table 2, which lists the months with the lowest flow conditions since 2020. September 2026 and August 2026 appear among the lowest monthly minimum average flows, with values of 414.5 m³/s and 413.0 m³/s respectively. The current daily average of 444 m³/s is only slightly above these monthly minimum averages, confirming that the Rhine remains in a pronounced low-flow phase.

Low water levels on the Rhine have consequences that reach well beyond the river itself. Cargo vessels have to reduce their load to stay clear of the riverbed, so more trips are needed to move the same volume and transport costs rise sharply, with the effect passed on to industries that depend on the waterway for coal, oil products, chemicals and grain. The shallower water also heats up faster in summer. Warmer water encourages bacterial growth, which can produce noticeable odors, and it holds less dissolved oxygen. The combination of higher temperatures, lower oxygen and more concentrated pollutants degrades water quality and can lead to fish kills. Swimming is generally discouraged under these conditions because of the higher bacterial load. Further effects include restrictions on power plants and industrial sites that draw river water for cooling, since they may no longer discharge warmed water without exceeding temperature limits, reduced dilution of treated wastewater, pressure on water supply and irrigation in the surrounding area, and falling groundwater levels along the river that affect riparian vegetation and wells.