Navigation authorities reported that the Rhine river in southern Germany was reopened for cargo shipping Friday, after being closed due to high water levels since the weekend.

The German inland navigation agency announced that Rhine river shipping around Maxau, south Germany has resumed following the fall in water levels caused by dryer weather during this week. The German inland waterways navigation agency said that Rhine river shipping around Maxau in south Germany has resumed after falling water levels following dryer weather this week.

Heavy rains in southern Germany caused flooding that closed the river to all freight traffic at Maxau on Saturday.

This week, the shipping on the northern section of the river was operating normally, including at important points such as Duisburg Cologne and Duesseldorf.

When the water is high, vessels cannot sail beneath bridges.

The Baden-Wuerttemberg high water warning center said that it is possible for water levels to rise dramatically at Maxau early next week. This could lead to new closures.

Rhine is a major shipping route for minerals, coal, and oil products like heating oil, grain, and animal feed. The Rhine has suffered from low levels of water because of the unusually dry summers over the past few years. (Reporting and editing by Michael Hogan)