The study compared estimated nutrient emissions with measured nutrient loads in different rivers in Central Europe. The Rhine and its tributaries had small discrepancies, while the Elbe and its tributaries showed large differences. A strong relationship was found between measured nutrient load, estimated emissions, and runoff. The study derived a function to predict nutrient emissions based on runoff and nutrient concentration in rivers. The accuracy of estimated retention and losses in the river basins allows for predicting emitted nutrients in similar rivers.