Flowing through the Rhine’s floodplain lies the Schlute Sandwiesenschlag. This sounds like a tongue twister doesn’t it? The Schlute Sandwiesenschlag also known as Schlute east of the Herrenwasser is more than just a stream. It is a story of water management and ecological change.
The Schlute Sandwiesenschlag begins its journey shortly after the Alb River flows into the Rhine. It branches off from another body of water called Schlute. This other Schlute creates a link between the Herrenwasser and the Kleine Loch. The Kleine Loch connects the Rhine to the Alb Canal and passes under the Rheindamm XXVII through a special structure.
Imagine the Schlute Sandwiesenschlag winding its way through the floodplain forest. It flows northeast between the Herrenwasser to the west and the Rheindamm XXVII to the east. After about one kilometer, it joins the Herrenwasser. The Herrenwasser then flows into the Rhine.
Interestingly, the Schlute Sandwiesenschlag is crossed by two forest paths at fords. In the 1990s a southern ford was built to improve drainage in the Rhine foreland. This ford replaced a dam that had been blocking the flow of water. Before the ford was built, water flowed through the Schlute only one or two days a year. After the construction, the Schlute was traversed by water for up to 35 days each year. With the increased water flow, reed canary grass expanded along the Schlute’s bottom.
The Schlute Sandwiesenschlag is a unique example of a river. It only flows during high water. It plays a vital role in the Rhine’s ecosystem. Next time you are near the Rhine, remember the Schlute Sandwiesenschlag. It is a testament to how we manage and interact with our natural world. The Schlute Sandwiesenschlag is a hidden gem in Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. It shows the dynamic relationship between water, land and human intervention.