low water

American  

noun

1. water at its lowest level, as in a river.

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low water British  

noun

1. another name for low tide

2. the state of any stretch of water at its lowest level

3. a situation of difficulty or point of least success, excellence, etc

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Other Word Forms

• low-water
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of low water

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

low water

France and Switzerland, too, reduced their nuclear output because of high river temperatures or low water levels.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

Wambach noted that record low water levels on the Rhine river present an acute risk to German economic activity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

"We must make our waterways more efficient while simultaneously making ships suitable for times of low water," Bilger said Wednesday after talks with state transport ministers.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

Romania has shut down its only nuclear power station because of extremely low water levels in the Danube river caused by prolonged hot weather affecting much of Europe.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

A boat would just float there comfortably I supposed, at dead low water.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier