Ruhr

For the conurbation see Ruhr Area.

The Ruhr is a medium-size river in western Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia) having its source at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet near the town of Winterberg in the mountainous region of the Sauerland and flowing into the lower Rhine river at an elevation of only 56 feet in the municipal area of Duisburg. Its total length is 217km, its average discharge is 79 cumecs (cubic metres per second) at Mülheim near its mouth. Thus its discharge is comparable to that of the Thames river.

The Ruhr first passes the towns of Meschede, Arnsberg, Unna, Holzwickede and Schwerte. Then the river marks the southern limit of the Ruhr area, passing Hagen, Dortmund, Herdecke, Wetter, Witten, Bochum, Hattingen, Essen, Mülheim and Duisburg.

The Ruhr crosses five artificial lakes on its way to the Rhine, which are largely frequented for leisure activities, e.g. inline skating:

Hengsteysee between Dortmund and Hagen, Area of the surface: 1.36km² height oft the weir 4.5m
Harkortsee between Hagen Herdecke and Wetter; Area of the surface: 1.37km², height of the weir 7,8m
Kemnader See between Witten and Bochum; Area of the surface: 1,25 km², height of the weir: 2m
Baldeneysee in Essen
Kettwiger See in Essen

The adjacent major industrial region adopted its name from this river.

The Ruhr is used for the preparation of drinking water and has a good water quality, which is ironic, since the word "Ruhr" means dysentery in the German language. Its riversides are largely used as recreation areas.

Not to be confused with the river Rur, in western North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium and Netherlands.

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See also