Listen closely. What if I told you the Untere Paußnitz, this seemingly modest stream, plays a vital role in shaping the landscape around us? The Untere Paußnitz is more than just a body of water. It is a thread in the rich tapestry of Leipzig’s Auwald forest.
The Paußnitz, including the Untere Paußnitz, has a history stretching back centuries. Its name, first reliably documented in 1889, possibly derives from the Old Sorbian word for “desolate stream”. Before being called Paußnitz, it was often known as Schwarze Lache. This translates to Black Pond. This name reflected its nature as a stagnant body of water. It often dried up and resembled an oxbow lake.
The Untere Paußnitz begins its journey. It starts as a branch of the Lauersche Grenzgraben in the Grozschocher district. From there, the stream winds its way through Leipzig’s southern reaches. It eventually merges into the Elster flood bed between Connewitz and Schleußig.
The Paußnitz’s course has changed dramatically over time. Originally, it flowed into the Pleiße River. Later, floods shifted its path towards the Rödel. With the construction of the Elster flood control basin, the Paußnitz was redirected. It then flowed directly into the Weisse Elster.
The Untere Paußnitz faced significant alterations. Large-scale brown coal mining disrupted its connection to other waterways. The stream was then fed with drainage water from the mines to prevent it from drying out. This water was highly acidic and contained a lot of rust. To protect the valuable sections of the river, the Untere Paußnitz section was separated. It became a still body of water.
The Untere Paußnitz has been subject to renaturation efforts since the 1990s. The stream now receives its water from the Weisse Elster. This happens through the man-made Lauerschen Grenzgraben. The city of Leipzig planned to enlarge the culvert. This would have increased the flow of the Paußnitz.
Since 1993, the Paußnitz has been impounded for around four weeks each March. This is part of a long-term experiment to waterlog the Auwald. The city of Leipzig plans to create a new, permanent tributary in the regularly flooded area. This flooding is only possible by blocking the inflow to the Untere Paußnitz.
In 1995, leading nature conservationists pushed for the removal of the Untere Paußnitz’s permanent barrier. This barrier was originally installed to protect against mine drainage water. It was reinstalled only during flooding. The Untere Paußnitz is now home to various animals and plants. Many are considered endangered.
The Untere Paußnitz supports a diverse array of creatures. These include roach, rudd, chub, tench, and perch. You can also find pond mussels, muskrats, nutrias, otters, and kingfishers.
The Untere Paußnitz’s story continues to evolve. Recent efforts have focused on reconnecting it to the larger Auwald ecosystem. In late 2020 and early 2021, a dike opening was built in the Elster flood bed. In 2022, the lower oxbow of the Mittlere Paußnitz was connected to it. The construction was flooded during the Christmas floods of 2023. For the first time in over a century, floodwaters flowed through the southern Leipzig Auwald.
The Untere Paußnitz flows through the Auwald. It carries with it tales of ecological change and human intervention. It also demonstrates nature’s resilience. As we stand here, let’s appreciate this small stream. It plays a significant role in Leipzig’s natural heritage.