Flowing quietly through southwest Leipzig is the Krebsgraben. It is a stream with a history as winding as its course. The Krebsgraben may seem like a minor waterway now. But it has played a significant role in shaping the landscape around Leipzig.
Up until the 19th century the Krebsgraben was known by another name. It was called the Luppe or the southern Luppe. Imagine farmers and villagers referring to it by this older name. This name connects the stream to the larger river system of the area.
The Krebsgraben begins its journey east of Großschkorlopp. This small village became part of Pegau in 2012. The stream flows northeast. It passes through Knautnaundorf. Historically the Krebsgraben fed three ponds. These were the Upper Pond the Lower Pond and the Bornteich. These ponds disappeared from maps by the late 1800s.
Interestingly, the Krebsgraben’s water source was supplemented in the 17th century. Water diverted from the Elsterfloßgraben near Eisdorf helped ensure the ponds had enough water.
A major change came to the Krebsgraben in the 1970s. The White Elster river was rerouted due to the Zwenkau open-pit mine. This rerouting gave the Krebsgraben a new mouth. Now, it flows directly into the White Elster east of Knautnaundorf’s industrial area. A backflow valve protects against flooding. Excess water flows through a pipe into the Knauthain Elstermühlgraben during high water levels.
In 1999 Knautnaundorf became part of Leipzig. This made the Krebsgraben a Leipzig waterway. The Krebsgraben stretches 7.57 kilometers. Almost 2 kilometers of it lie within Leipzig’s city limits.
The Krebsgraben isn’t always full of water. This is largely due to the lowering of the groundwater table. The Zwenkau mine caused this effect. The Krebsgraben primarily drains the fields west of Knautnaundorf.
So, the next time you pass the Krebsgraben remember its journey. Remember its changing names and its adaptation to industrial changes. It is a small stream with a big story to tell.