Schwienau (river)

Schwienau is a river of Lower Saxony, Germany. It is a left tributary of the Gerdau.

Schwienau
The Schwienau before Bode (part of Hanstedt)
Location
Country	Germany
State	Lower Saxony
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	In the Lüneburg Heath near Wriedel
• coordinates	53°01′14″N 10°16′59″E
• elevation	73 m above sea level (NN)
Mouth
• location	near Groß Süstedt (a district of Gerdau) into the Gerdau
• coordinates	52°58′17″N 10°23′23″E
• elevation	48 m above sea level (NN)
Length	19.2 km (11.9 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Gerdau→ Ilmenau→ Elbe→ North Sea
Landmarks	Villages: Brockhöfe, Bode, Hanstedt I, Ebstorf, Wittenwater, Stadorf, Linden, Groß Süstedt
Tributaries
• left	Wriedeler Bach

The Schwienau is 19 km (12 mi) long. It rises in the Weidebruch north of Brockhöfe near Wriedel. Initially the Schwienau flows through near-natural grassland landscape. After 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) it has been straightened and directed past a pumping station. It discharges north of Groß Süstedt (a district of the municipality Gerdau) into the river Gerdau.

The Schwienau has been artificially straightened throughout much of its route and rarely flows in its natural channel. The banks either side are mainly used for agriculture. Only at Wriedel and east of it the river runs through small woods and untended heath. Its fluvial sediment consists mainly of sand and mud. This affords a habitat particularly for leeches, snails and shrimp-like animals called scuds. Its water is generally only moderately contaminated.

Tributaries

Wriedeler Bach Allenbosteler Graben Oechtringer Bach

Schliepbach Bruchgraben Wittenwater

See also

• List of rivers of Lower Saxony