Hear the whisper of the wind through the reeds. The Alte Leine awaits us. It is more than just a body of water. It is a story etched in every ripple and bend.
The Alte Leine. Its name translates to Old Leine. Once it was a vital side arm of the River Leine. Imagine barges navigating its waters. Picture mills harnessing its power to grind grain. That was then. Today, the Alte Leine has a different origin. It rises from the confluence of the Fuchsbach and Koldinger Mühlengraben.
Interestingly, at the Ziegenbocksbrücke the Alte Leine flows into the Leine. During floods, it still acts as a crucial flood relief channel. The once sluggish Bördebach transforms. It gurgles and rushes through the meadows.
The Alte Leine stands as a rarity. It is one of the few unaltered Börde streams in the Hanover region. Its 12 km stretch meanders slowly. The gentle gradient creates loops and bends. The Alte Leine boasts a rich structure in its streambed and banks. This provides a habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species.
Look closely. From May onwards, dragonflies perform acrobatics above the water. These skilled fliers can reach speeds up to 50 km/h. Their flight capabilities are amazing. They hover, maneuver daringly and even fly backwards briefly.
Dragonfly larvae lurk among the aquatic plants. They hide in the mud. They prey on single-celled organisms, small crustaceans, worms, tadpoles, and young fish. They also eat aquatic insects. Adult dragonflies are predators too. They catch butterflies, flies, beetles, mosquitoes, smaller dragonfly species and wasps in mid-air.
Unfortunately, intensive agriculture and pesticide use decimated dragonfly populations in the 1980s. But thankfully, part of the Leineaue now enjoys protected status. Grasslands are managed less intensively. As a result, the dragonfly population is recovering. Now, over 30 dragonfly species can be observed in the Leineaue.
One notable species is the blood-red Heidelibelle. It flies from July to September. It perches on paths to bask in the sun. Like all large dragonflies, it spreads its front and hind wings horizontally when at rest. Males are easily recognized. They have a bright red abdomen. Females sometimes display red coloration. After mating, they lay eggs in tandem. The male guards the laying female. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following summer.
In 1705, the Leine shifted its course. It moved roughly one kilometer eastwards between Koldingen and Wilkenburg. The lower reaches of the Koldinger Mühlenbach and the Alte Leine now flow in the old riverbed. They meander northwest for about nine kilometers.
Beavers have returned to the Alte Leine. They build dams. These dams create ponds. These ponds have a significant impact on the landscape.
So, the Alte Leine is a testament to nature’s resilience. It is a reminder of the delicate balance between human activity and the environment. As you continue your journey, remember the story of the Alte Leine. Remember its dragonflies, its meanders and its beavers.