# Ships can sail both ways again on Boven-IJssel

> Rijkswaterstaat has ended one-way shipping on the Boven-IJssel after days of rain raised the water level. The measured depth is back above 1.45 metres, but the agency warns the dry spell is not over.

News · published 2026-10-24 09:45 · updated 2026-10-24 12:18 · https://nlnow.nl/a/ships-can-sail-both-ways-again-on-the-boven-ijssel/

Rijkswaterstaat has lifted the one-way rule for shipping on the Boven-IJssel after the rain of the past few days. The stretch affected runs between Arnhem and Zutphen.

The measure had applied since 14 October because of low water. Inland vessels could only sail upstream, from Zutphen to Arnhem.

Rijkswaterstaat warns that the dry spell is not over yet. "If the water level falls again, new measures for shipping may be introduced," it said.

Rijkswaterstaat says the minimum measured depth on the Boven-IJssel is back above 1.45 metres. It will keep monitoring water levels.

The one-way traffic forced some ships to take a detour, adding travel time for inland shipping heading for the Twentekanaal.

## Background

- **Rijkswaterstaat**: Rijkswaterstaat is the executive agency of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, responsible for the national main road and motorway network, the main waterways, and the water system. It manages locks, bridges, tunnels and waterway traffic rules, including restrictions such as one-way shipping on rivers. Its decisions on water levels and navigation affect boats, ferries and river safety across the Netherlands.

From NLnow, news from the Netherlands in English. How stories are made: https://nlnow.nl/about/