Altmühl

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Altmühl
Old Altmühl at Essing, between Dietfurt and Kelheim
Map with the Altmühl highlighted
Location
Country	Germany
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Middle Franconia
Mouth
• location	Danube at Kelheim
• coordinates	48°54′37″N 11°54′25″E / 48.91028°N 11.90694°E / 48.91028; 11.90694
Length	226.9 km (141.0 mi)
Basin size	3,258 km2 (1,258 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	24.3 m3/s (860 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Progression	Danube→ Black Sea

The Altmühl (German pronunciation: [ˈaltˌmyːl] ^ⓘ, Latin: Alchmona, Alcmana, Almonus) is a river in Bavaria, Germany. It is a left tributary of the river Danube and is approximately 230 kilometers (140 mi) long. Much of the river is contained within the Altmühl Valley Nature Park.

Course

The source of the Altmühl is close to the town 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 moves in a broad curve through the Franconian Jura. It enters the Altmühl Valley Nature Park (Naturpark Altmühltal), which is known for its natural environment: The meanders of the Altmühl river have cut deep gorges into the mountains of the Franconian Jura.

The Altmühl passes the towns of Treuchtlingen, Eichstätt and Beilngries.

Downstream of Dietfurt, the riverbed was straightened and integrated into a canal connecting the river Main and the 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 flows into the Danube in Kelheim.

See also

• Altmühltal
• Arzberg (Altmühl valley)

References

External links

Media related to Altmühl at Wikimedia Commons