Pegel Köln

Pegel Köln is a water level measurement station positioned on the left bank of the Rhine River in Cologne's Altstadt-Nord district. The station continuously records height readings essential for river navigation, flood management, and water resource planning along this major waterway.

The station was established to monitor Rhine water level changes, which became vital as Cologne developed into a major port city. Over the decades, it has provided data that helped guide river traffic safely and protect the city from flooding events.

Local residents and tourists gather near the gauge to observe the Rhine's water levels while enjoying the riverside promenade of Altstadt-Nord.

Visitors can freely approach the measurement station and read water levels on installed markers, which are clearest when the river is low. The best time to observe is during clear weather when the markings are most visible and easy to interpret.

The gauge features a scale carved into stone that dates back over 150 years, marking water heights that generations of people have observed. These historical notches remain visible and serve as a tangible record of the river's behavior over time.