Aurach (Rednitz)

Aurach
Aurach near Roth
Map
Location
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationabout 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) west of Petersaurach
 • elevation452 metres (1,483 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
somewhat north of Roth into the Rednitz
 • coordinates
49°15′15″N 11°04′52″E / 49.2542°N 11.0811°E / 49.2542; 11.0811
 • elevation
324.5 metres (1,065 ft)
Length31.8 km (19.8 mi)[1]
Basin size128 km2 (49 sq mi)[1]
Basin features
ProgressionRednitzRegnitzMainRhineNorth Sea

Aurach (German pronunciation: [ˈaʊ̯ʁax] ) is a river in the Bavarian Landkreise (districts) of Ansbach and Roth, Germany.

The Aurach at Barthelmesaurach
The Aurach at Veitsaurach

The name means 'river where the aurochs grazes' (Old High German ūro 'aurochs' and aha 'flowing water').

The Aurach originates about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) west of Petersaurach, Middle Franconia at an altitude of 452 metres (1,483 ft) above sea level. It flows almost 32 kilometres (20 mi) eastward until it flows into the Rednitz. On its way, it passes the villages of Aich (Neuendettelsau, Bertholdsdorf (Windsbach) Veitsaurach (Windsbach), Barthelmesaurach (Kammerstein), Gauchsdorf (Büchenbach and Rothaurach (Roth). Downwards of Götzenreuth (Büchenbach), it is the receiving water of the southern flank of the Heidenberg [de]. It flows to the northern edge of Roth at 325 metres (1,066 ft) above sea level from the left into the Rednitz.

Like most of the western tributaries of the Rednitz, the Aurach has a small slope and a small runoff as well as sand structures in the waterfront and in the waters of the river.

In the past, the Aurach drove a mill about every two miles. These were for example the Hammerschmiede, Geichsenmühle, Mausenmühle, Steinmühle, Buckenmühle, Hasenmühle, Neumühle, and Hebresmühle as well as those at Gauchsdorf and Rothaurach and the Lohmühle near Roth. Today, the hydropower of Aurach has lost its importance.

At Petersaurach, Mausendorf, Veitsaurach, Barthelmesaurach, Götzenreuth, Breitenlohe, Aurau, and Rothaurach, the Aurach takes up the purified sewage water from the respective purification plants.

The majority of the course of the river Aurach in the district of Roth is located in the landscape protection area No. 00428.01.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Complete table of the Bavarian Waterbody Register by the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (xls, 10.3 MB)