Alte Else - neue Else

Many rivers are both a blessing and a curse: floods bring fertile soil and, as a result, food and prosperity - but they can also bring destruction and misery. Along the Else, people have been trying to control the floods for a long time. One result of these efforts is, for example, the straight course of both branches of the river west of Bünde. However, the division into the new and old Else took place centuries ago when the southern branch of the river was dug to supply water to the Nienburg mill.

A natural river constantly changes its course and forms oxbow lakes and channels that only fill up when the water level is high. Fish use these low-flow areas for hibernation and young fish (barbel, bitterling etc.) as nurseries. Frogs, birds and insects can also develop well here. The straightening of the Else has destroyed these ecologically important floodplain areas in the Else lowlands.

In the course of the recent watercourse development measures, two flood channels were created as shallow troughs to the north and south of the old Else, which temporarily fill up when the water levels are high. In addition, a near-natural oxbow lake with large shallow water zones was created, which is constantly flowing through. This has once again created a habitat for the typical "floodplain dwellers". The existing bank reinforcement was removed in places so that the Else can develop more dynamically in future. Overall, the entire section of the river has become more natural and therefore more lively again.

Further information: www.fahr-im-kreis.de