Werra

The Werra (German pronunciation: [ˈvɛʁa]), a river in central Germany, is the right-bank headwater of the Weser. "Weser" is a synonym in an old dialect of German. The Werra has its source near Eisfeld in southern Thuringia. After 293 kilometres (182 mi) the Werra joins the river Fulda in the town of Hann. Münden, forming the Weser. If the Werra is included as part of the Weser, the Weser is the longest river entirely within German territory at 744 kilometres (462 mi).

Werra
Course of the Werra
Location
CountryGermany
States
Physical characteristics
Source 
  coordinates50°29′59″N 10°57′53″E
  elevation797 m above sea level (NN)
Mouth 
  location
confluence with the Fulda
in Hann. Münden to form the Weser
  coordinates
51°25′16″N 9°38′57″E
  elevation
116.5 m above sea level (NN)
Length299.6 km (186.2 mi) [1]
Basin size5,496 km2 (2,122 sq mi) [2]
Discharge 
  locationam Pegel Meiningen[3]
  average14.0 m3/s (490 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
  locationVacha[3]
  average23.6 m3/s (830 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
  locationGerstungen[3]
  average30.9 m3/s (1,090 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
  locationFrankenroda[3]
  average40.6 m3/s (1,430 cu ft/s)
Discharge 
  locationAllendorf[3]
  average46.5 m3/s (1,640 cu ft/s)
  • Location:
    Letzter Heller, bei Hann. Münden[3]
  • Average rate: 51.2 m3/s (1,810 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionWeserNorth Sea
Landmarks
Tributaries 
  leftUlster, Felda, Wehre
  rightSchleuse, Hasel, Hörsel
Navigable89 km (55 mi); motor boats in places, but not throughout

Its valley, the Werratal, has many tributaries and is a relative lull between the Rhön Mountains and the Thuringian Forest.

Its attractions include Eiben Forest near Dermbach, an unusual sandstone cave at Walldorf, the deepest lake in Germany formed by subsidence (near Bernshausen), and Krayenburg, the ruins of a castle.

Its towns and main settlements are Hildburghausen, Meiningen, Bad Salzungen, Tiefenort, Merkers-Kieselbach, Vacha, Heringen, Philippsthal, Gerstungen, Wanfried, Eschwege, Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Witzenhausen and Hannoversch Münden.

See also

References

  1. Messung über Geopfad (kmz, 66 kB). Die Werte von 292,1 km (ohne Quellbäche) bzw. 298,7 km (über Quelle am Eselsberg) wurden um 0,9 km nach oben korrigiert, da laut hessischer Stationierung die Ulstermündung an km 161,6 liegt, im Geopfad jedoch an 160,7.
  2. Environmental map service of Lower Saxony (Umweltkartendienst des Niedersächsischen Ministeriums für Umwelt, Energie und Klimaschutz)
  3. Gewässerkundliches Jahrbuch Weser-Ems 2005 - PDF, 6,7 MB
  • Media related to Werra at Wikimedia Commons
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