Ruhr
For the conurbation see Ruhr Area.The
Ruhr is a medium-size
river in western
Germany (
North Rhine-Westphalia) having its source at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet near the town of
Winterberg in the mountainous region of the
Sauerland and flowing into the lower
Rhine river at an elevation of only 56 feet in the municipal area of
Duisburg. Its total length is 217km, its average discharge is 79 cumecs (cubic metres per second) at
Mülheim near its mouth. Thus its discharge is comparable to that of the
Thames river.
The Ruhr first passes the towns of
Meschede,
Arnsberg,
Unna,
Holzwickede and
Schwerte. Then the river marks the southern limit of the
Ruhr area, passing
Hagen,
Dortmund,
Herdecke,
Wetter,
Witten,
Bochum,
Hattingen,
Essen,
Mülheim and
Duisburg.
The Ruhr crosses five artificial lakes on its way to the Rhine, which are largely frequented for leisure activities, e.g. inline skating:
*
Hengsteysee between Dortmund and Hagen, Area of the surface: 1.36km² height oft the weir 4.5m
*
Harkortsee between Hagen Herdecke and Wetter; Area of the surface: 1.37km², height of the weir 7,8m
*
Kemnader See between Witten and Bochum; Area of the surface: 1,25 km², height of the weir: 2m
*
Baldeneysee in Essen
* Kettwiger See in Essen
The adjacent major industrial region adopted its name from this river.
The
Ruhr is used for the preparation of drinking water and has a good water quality, which is ironic, since the word "Ruhr" means
dysentery in the German language. Its riversides are largely used as recreation areas.
Not to be confused with the river Rur, in western North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium and Netherlands. |
The Ruhr valley near Bochum during a flooding |
*
Ruhr Area*
Occupation of the Ruhr (1923-1924)
