Ostrach (Danube)

Ostrach
Course of the Ostrach
Map
Location
CountryGermany
StateBaden-Württemberg
Physical characteristics
Sourcewest of Fleischwangen
 • locationLandkreis Ravensburg, Landkreis Sigmaringen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
 • coordinates47°52′48.9″N 9°24′06″E / 47.880250°N 9.40167°E / 47.880250; 9.40167
 • elevation620 m (2,030 ft)
MouthHundersingen
 • location
Herbertingen, Sigmaringen, Germany
 • coordinates
48°04′25.2″N 9°19′10″E / 48.073667°N 9.31944°E / 48.073667; 9.31944
 • elevation
545 m (1,788 ft)
Length33.4 km (20.8 mi)[1]
Basin size198 km2 (76 sq mi)[1]
Basin features
ProgressionDanube→ Black Sea

The Ostrach is a 33.4-kilometre (20.8 mi) long right tributary stream of the Danube in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Geography

The stream flows through the village of Ostrach

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 198 square kilometres (76 sq mi).[1]

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

The Ostrach in the Pfrunger wetlands

Since 2005, a beaver population has developed in the Pfrunger-Burgweiler wetlands[2] – since October 2008 verifiable. In the upper 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.[3]

A seven million Euro protection project was planned with the goal to protect the wetlands and the watershed.[4] The project has been finished in 2015.

References

  1. ^ a b c Map services of the Baden-Württemberg State Office for the Environment, Survey and Conservation (Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz Baden-Württemberg)
  2. ^ According to Pia Wilhelm, staff member of the Naturschutzzentrum des Schwäbischen Heimatbundes Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried
  3. ^ Josef Unger: Wasserstau im Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried bei Arbeitseinsatz beseitigt. Biberdamm nun etwas niedriger. In: Südkurier of 21. November 2008
  4. ^ Florian Unger: Natur. Staudamm quer durch die Ostrach. Im Pfrunger-Burgweiler Ried sind Biber am Werk – Sorge um Stauung und überflutete Wiesen. In: Südkurier of 11. November 2008

See also