Black Lauter

Last updated
Black Lauter
Quelltopf der Schwarzen Lauter.jpg
Source of the Black Lauter in the autumn of 2002
Black Lauter
Location
CountryGermany
State Baden-Württemberg
District Esslingen
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationin Schlatstall, a part of Lenningen
  elevation535 m (1,755 ft)
Mouth  
  location
confluence with White Lauter, forming the Lauter
  coordinates
48°32′19″N9°29′28″E / 48.53861°N 9.49111°E / 48.53861; 9.49111
  elevation
470 m (1,540 ft)
Length2 km (1.2 mi)
Basin features
Progression LauterNeckarRhineNorth Sea
Tributaries 
  leftSeltenbach
Golden hole in Schlattstall Goldloch Schlattstall.jpg
Golden hole in Schlattstall

The Black Lauter (German : Schwarze Lauter) is the left hand source of the river Lauter. It rises in Schlatstall from the Lauterquelle well and the Golden hole. Near Lenningen it joins the White Lauter, forming the Lauter.

Contents

Wells

At the mouth of the Kohlhau Valley, where it joins the Lenningen valley, lies the village of Schlatstall, which is now a part of the municipality of Lenningen. Near this village, there are a total of six karst wells. The sources, the narrow valley and the village are a popular hiking destination. The sources are part of a nature reserve. The two most important wells in terms of volume, are the Lauterquelle and the Goldloch.

Lauterquelle

The Lauterquelle, or Lauter Well, ( 48°31′27″N9°29′23″E / 48.52403°N 9.48971°E / 48.52403; 9.48971 ) is 20 metres (66 ft) ahead of the Lauter Mill, where the water-impermeable valley floor emerges. This source is so strong and rich that it could drive an overshot mill, the Lauter Mill.

Goldloch

The Goldloch, or Golden Hole, is only periodically active. This cave ( 48°31′25″N9°29′28″E / 48.52352°N 9.49098°E / 48.52352; 9.49098 ) is about 100 metres (330 ft) east of the other sources. The discharge varies between 200 and 3,000 litres per second (53 and 793 USgal/s). The mouth of the cave was extended to its present size by miners in 1824–25. No gold was found. [1]

Trout

Trout are bred in the clean, oxygen-rich karst spring water. Water from all six wells flows into fish ponds on the eastern edge of the village of Schlattstall.

Tributaries

References

  1. Cave guide Swabian Alb, H. Binder, H. Jantschke. 7. Edition, Leinfelden-Echterdingen 2003