Cry Me a River: Low Water Levels Causing Chaos in Germany

Cry Me a River: Low Water Levels Causing Chaos in Germany
A cargo ship passes sandbanks near Kaub, Germany during historically low water on the river Rhin on Oct. 24, 2018. AP Photo/Michael Probst
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BERLIN—A new island in Lake Constance. A river in Berlin flowing backward. Dead fish on the banks of lakes and ponds. Barges barely loaded so they don’t run aground.

A hot, dry summer has left German rivers and lakes at record low water levels, causing chaos for the inland shipping industry, environmental damage and billions of euros (dollars) in losses — a scenario that experts warn could portend the future as global temperatures rise.