Ostrach (stream)
| Ostrach | |
| River | |
 Course of the Ostrach | |
| Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Source | west of Fleischwangen |
| - location | Landkreis Ravensburg, Landkreis Sigmaringen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| - elevation | 620 m (2,034 ft) |
| - length | 33.1 km (21 mi) |
| - coordinates | 47°52′48.9″N 9°24′06″E / 47.880250°N 9.40167°E |
| Mouth | Hundersingen |
| - elevation | 545 m (1,788 ft) |
| - coordinates | 48°04′25.2″N 9°19′10″E / 48.073667°N 9.31944°ECoordinates: 48°04′25.2″N 9°19′10″E / 48.073667°N 9.31944°E |
| Basin | 204.6 km2 (79 sq mi) |
| Progression | Danube→ Black Sea |
The Ostrach is a 33.1 kilometres (21 mi) long tributary stream of the Danube in Baden-Württemberg (Germany).
Geography
The Ostrach originates on the north side of the European watershed, in the vicinity of Fleischwangen in the Landkreis Ravensburg and drains out of the Pfrunger wetlands. It runs parallel to the Ablach for most of its length, flowing between two moraine hills by Ostrach, through the Weithart, and the Göge-Ablach plateau. The mouth of the Ostrach lies in Hundersingen, a suburb of the community of Herbertingen in the Landkreis Sigmaringen where it runs for 22 kilometres (14 mi) to the Danube. The catchment area is 204.6 square kilometres (79 sq mi).
Localities on the Ostrach
Die Ostrach traverses or touches several districts and communities from its source to the Danube: The locale of Fleischwangen, where it originates, Guggenhausen, Riedhausen, Ostrach and its subdivisions of Laubbach, Jettkofen, Wangen, Einhart and Habsthal, the Mengen city subdivision of Rosna, the Hohentengen subdivisions of Bremen and Beizkofen, and finally by Hundersingen, where it reaches the Danube.
Tributaries
Tributaries of the Ostrach include the Wilhelmsdorf canal, die Fleischwanger Ach (creek), the Hornbach, the Tiefenbach and the Seebach.
Ecology
Fauna
Since 2005, a beaver population has developed in the Pfrunger-Burgweiler wetlands.[1] In the upper Im oberen range of the Ostrach, the beavers have erected a dam across the stream, creating a pond that holds 1000 cubic meters of water, causing the tributaries of the Ostrach to overflow their banks, to the great frustration of the farmers in Riedhausen and Laubbach.[2]
A protection project is underway, with the goal to protect the wetlands and the watershed. The seven million Euro project will end in 2012.[3]
Citations
- ↑ Laut Pia Wilhelm, Mitarbeiterin im Naturschutzzentrum des Schwäbischen Heimatbundes Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried
- ↑ Josef Unger: Wasserstau im Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried bei Arbeitseinsatz beseitigt. Biberdamm nun etwas niedriger. In: Südkurier vom 21. November 2008
- ↑ Florian Unger: Natur. Staudamm quer durch die Ostrach. Im Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried sind Biber am Werk – Sorge um Stauung und überflutete Wiesen. In: Südkurier vom 11. November 2008