Imagine streams vanishing before your very eyes. That is the magic of Verlorenes Wasser in Dresden. Verlorenes Wasser means Lost Water. It is not just one stream. The name refers to several streams on the edge of the Dresden Basin in Saxony. Some are officially named Verlorenes Wasser. Others are known by this name colloquially.
These streams usually disappear after flowing for only a few hundred meters. This disappearing act is called “influence” in hydrogeology. You can find these Lost Waters in Dresden, Radebeul, and Coswig. They appear along a 20-kilometer stretch of the Elbtalkessel’s northern edge. This area extends from the Dresdner Heide to the Lössnitz. It also reaches into the Friedewald.
Typically, these short streams flow at right angles to the Elbtal slopes. Most run from north to south. They aim for the Elbe or the Prießnitz. However, they sink into the ground before reaching their destination. This phenomenon is unusual for central Germany. Yet, similar streams in the Fläming and Harz regions also share the name Verlorenes Wasser.
Several factors cause this rapid disappearance. The primary reason is the area’s unique geology. It marks a transition from impermeable to permeable ground. The streams originate on the Lausitzer Platte. This is a rocky highland north of Dresden. They come from descending springs, overflowing wells, or drainage systems. These waters often start in shallow meadows.
The streams carve into the local monzonite or granodiorite rock forming valleys. As they flow, the Verlorenes Wasser streams cross the Lausitzer Verwerfung. They then meet a sandy terrace. This terrace is a remnant of the Elster Ice Age. It is a fan of sediment from a large glacial outflow. This outflow once reached a natural reservoir in the Elbtalkessel.
Once the streams reach this permeable sand, they quickly vanish. They seep back into the groundwater. The streams usually carry very little water. This makes it easier for the sandy soil to absorb all of it. Larger streams like the Prießnitz and Lössnitzbach also encounter this terrace. However, they carry too much water to disappear completely. They continue to their natural outlets. These are the only right-bank tributaries of the Elbe in this long stretch.
The amount of water in Verlorenes Wasser varies greatly. It depends on the season and rainfall. During heavy rain or thaw, some streams briefly reach the Prießnitz. Otherwise, they disappear as well. The other Verlorenes Wasser streams never reach the Elbe. The Elbe flows several kilometers away in the center of the Elbtalkessel.
Past forest uses may also contribute to the disappearing streams. For example, the practice of Streurechen. This involved raking up leaves, branches, and moss from the forest floor for use as animal bedding. Removing this layer exposed the loose sandy soil. It increased water seepage.
The Verlorenes Wasser is a reminder of nature’s hidden processes. It highlights the interaction between geology, water, and human activity. As you stand here, consider the journey of these hidden streams. They flow briefly on the surface before returning to the depths below. They remain a mystery.