Altmühl

Altmühl

Map with the Altmühl highlighted
Origin Middle Franconia
Mouth Danube
48°54′37″N 11°54′25″E / 48.91028°N 11.90694°ECoordinates: 48°54′37″N 11°54′25″E / 48.91028°N 11.90694°E
Basin countries Germany
Length ±220 km (140 mi)

The Altmühl is a river in Bavaria, Germany. It is a left tributary of the river Danube and is approximately 230 kilometres (140 mi) long.

Overview

Old Altmühl at Essing, between Dietfurt and Kelhheim

The source of the Altmühl is close to the city of Ansbach. From here the river runs southeastwards as a narrow brook to enter the Altmühlsee (a lake) north of Gunzenhausen. After leaving Gunzenhausen the river describes a broad curve through the Frankish Alb. It enters the Altmühl Valley Nature Park, which is famous for its natural beauty: The meanders of the Altmühl River have cut deep gorges into the mountains of the Frankish Alb.

The Altmühl passes the cities of Treuchtlingen, Eichstätt and Beilngries. After Dietfurt the river bed was straightened and integrated into a canal connecting the River Main and River Danube (the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal). In spite of protests by conservationists the canal was opened in 1992 and has changed much of the eastern Altmühl Valley. The Altmühl finally meets the Danube in Kelheim.

See also

References

    External links

    Media related to Altmühl at Wikimedia Commons