Enns River
Encyclopedia
The Enns is a southern tributary of the Danube River, joining northward at Enns
, Austria
. The Enns River spans 254 kilometres (157.8 mi), in a flat-J-shape. It flows from its source near the towns of Gasthofalm and Flachau
, generally eastward through Radstadt
, Schladming
, and Liezen
, then turns north near Hieflau
, to flow past Weyer
and Ternberg
into Steyr
, and further north to the Danube at Enns
(see map in References).
n state of Salzburg
. In a valley which developed during the ice age
, it flows at the border between the Northern Limestone Alps
and the Central Eastern Alps
on an eastern trajectory through Styria
, where it passes the Dachstein group at its southern side. Between Admont
and Hieflau
, it takes a turn to the North and passes through the Gesäuse, a gorge of a length of 15 km, where it penetrates the limestone of the Ennstaler Alpen
. Flowing to the north from there on, it reaches the state of Upper Austria
at the mouth of the Laußabach. North of Steyr
, it forms the border between Upper Austria and Lower Austria
(formerly also known as Austria above the Enns and Austria below the Enns). Finally, it meets the Danube at Mauthausen
and the city of Enns
.
The Enns is a typical wild water river and draws its water from an area of more than 6,000 km², which is the fifth largest in Austria
. The average outflow at its mouth is 201 m³ per second
.
and the Gesäuse in order to make use of the water for agriculture
and forestry
.
In total, ten power plants with a total generative power of 345 megawatts have been built by the Ennskraftwerke AG.
and the Steyr.
and Slovenia
through Austria
runs through the Enns valley.
The so-called Eisenstraße runs along the river between Hieflau and Enns, along which iron ore has been transported from the Styrian Erzberg (ore mountain) to the steel mill
in Linz
.
Enns (city)
Enns is a city in the Austrian state of Upper Austria, located 281 m above sea level on the river Enns, which forms the border with the state of Lower Austria....
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. The Enns River spans 254 kilometres (157.8 mi), in a flat-J-shape. It flows from its source near the towns of Gasthofalm and Flachau
Flachau
Flachau is a village in the district of St. Johann im Pongau in the Salzburg state, Austria, with a population of 2,639 . Its numerous skiing facilities are part of the Ski Amadé network of ski areas, the largest in Europe.- History :...
, generally eastward through Radstadt
Radstadt
Radstadt is a historic town in the district of St. Johann im Pongau in the Austrian state of Salzburg. It is located at the confluence of the Taurach stream and the Enns river, at the foot of Roßbrand mountain, part of the Salzburg Slate Alps.-History:...
, Schladming
Schladming
Schladming is a small mining town in the Austrian state of Styria, that is now very popular with tourists. It has become a large ski resort and has held various skiing competitions recently. The shopping area has lots of cafes, restaurant and a variety of shops and caters well for tourists.As of...
, and Liezen
Liezen
Liezen is a municipality in the Austrian federal state of Styria, district capital of the district of the same name and economic center on the River Enns.Liezen covers a surface of 56.36 km2 and has a population of 6,991 people, as of the 2001 census...
, then turns north near Hieflau
Hieflau
Hieflau is a municipality in the district of Leoben in Styria, Austria....
, to flow past Weyer
Weyer
Weyer is a German surname and placename. Etymologically, it appears to be a habitational name meaning "someone living in a place called Weier, Weiher or Weyer"...
and Ternberg
Ternberg
Ternberg is a municipality in the district of Steyr-Land in Upper Austria, Austria.- Geographics :Ternberg is part of the upper Austrian region Traunviertel. Its area from North to South is 9,5 km, from West to East 11,7 km....
into Steyr
Steyr
Steyr is a town, located in the Austrian federal state of Upper Austria. The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Steyr and Enns. Steyr is Austria's 12th most populated town and simultaneously the 3rd largest town in Upper Austria....
, and further north to the Danube at Enns
Enns (city)
Enns is a city in the Austrian state of Upper Austria, located 281 m above sea level on the river Enns, which forms the border with the state of Lower Austria....
(see map in References).
Geography
The Enns has its source in the Radstädter Tauern mountains in the AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n state of Salzburg
Salzburg (state)
Salzburg is a state or Land of Austria with an area of 7,156 km2, located adjacent to the German border. It is also known as Salzburgerland, to distinguish it from its capital city, also named Salzburg...
. In a valley which developed during the ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
, it flows at the border between the Northern Limestone Alps
Northern Limestone Alps
The Northern Limestone Alps are the ranges of the Eastern Alps north of the Central Eastern Alps located in Austria and the adjacent Bavarian lands of southeastern Germany. The distinction from the latter group, where the higher peaks are located, is based on differences in geological composition...
and the Central Eastern Alps
Central Eastern Alps
The Central Eastern Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps with its highest peaks, located between the Northern Limestone Alps and the Southern Limestone Alps, from which they differ in geological composition....
on an eastern trajectory through Styria
Styria (state)
Styria is a state or Bundesland, located in the southeast of Austria. In area it is the second largest of the nine Austrian federated states, covering 16,401 km². It borders Slovenia as well as the other Austrian states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Burgenland, and Carinthia. ...
, where it passes the Dachstein group at its southern side. Between Admont
Admont
Admont is a town in Styria, Austria, with a population of 2775 . It is historically most notable for Admont Abbey, a monastery founded in 1074.-External links:* *...
and Hieflau
Hieflau
Hieflau is a municipality in the district of Leoben in Styria, Austria....
, it takes a turn to the North and passes through the Gesäuse, a gorge of a length of 15 km, where it penetrates the limestone of the Ennstaler Alpen
Ennstaler Alpen
The Ennstal Alps are a mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps. They are located in the Austrian states of Styria and Upper Austria, but mostly in Styria...
. Flowing to the north from there on, it reaches the state of Upper Austria
Upper Austria
Upper Austria is one of the nine states or Bundesländer of Austria. Its capital is Linz. Upper Austria borders on Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as on the other Austrian states of Lower Austria, Styria, and Salzburg...
at the mouth of the Laußabach. North of Steyr
Steyr
Steyr is a town, located in the Austrian federal state of Upper Austria. The town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Steyr and Enns. Steyr is Austria's 12th most populated town and simultaneously the 3rd largest town in Upper Austria....
, it forms the border between Upper Austria and Lower Austria
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is the northeasternmost state of the nine states in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria since 1986 is Sankt Pölten, the most recently designated capital town in Austria. The capital of Lower Austria had formerly been Vienna, even though Vienna is not officially part of Lower Austria...
(formerly also known as Austria above the Enns and Austria below the Enns). Finally, it meets the Danube at Mauthausen
Mauthausen
Mauthausen is a small market town in Upper Austria, Austria. It is located at about 20 kilometers east of the city of Linz, and has a population of 4,850 .During World War II, it became the site of the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp complex....
and the city of Enns
Enns (city)
Enns is a city in the Austrian state of Upper Austria, located 281 m above sea level on the river Enns, which forms the border with the state of Lower Austria....
.
The Enns is a typical wild water river and draws its water from an area of more than 6,000 km², which is the fifth largest in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. The average outflow at its mouth is 201 m³ per second
Cubic metres per second
A cubic metre per second is a derived SI unit of flow rate equal to that of a stere or cube with sides of one metre in length exchanged or moving each second...
.
History
In the middle of the 19th century, canals began to be built along the 70 km between WeißenbachWeisenbach
Weisenbach is a municipality in the district of Rastatt in Baden-Württemberg in Germany....
and the Gesäuse in order to make use of the water for agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and forestry
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
.
In total, ten power plants with a total generative power of 345 megawatts have been built by the Ennskraftwerke AG.
Power stations
- SchönauSchönau- People :* Horst Schönau* Elizabeth of Schönau, a Benedictine nun at Schönau Abbey of Nassau and a friend of Hildegarde of Bingen- Places :Germany:* Schönau , a town in Baden-Württemberg** Schönau Abbey, in this town...
- WeyerWeyerWeyer is a German surname and placename. Etymologically, it appears to be a habitational name meaning "someone living in a place called Weier, Weiher or Weyer"...
- GroßramingGroßramingGroßraming is a municipality in the district of Steyr-Land in Upper Austria, Austria.-References:...
- LosensteinLosensteinLosenstein is a small village in the south of Upper Austria, Austria. About 1,700 inhabitants call Losenstein their home.It lies in the southernmost quarter of Upper Austria called "Traunviertel". Its spatial dimension from North to South is 8,1 km, from West to East 4,5 km. 45,9 % of...
- TernbergTernbergTernberg is a municipality in the district of Steyr-Land in Upper Austria, Austria.- Geographics :Ternberg is part of the upper Austrian region Traunviertel. Its area from North to South is 9,5 km, from West to East 11,7 km....
- RosenauRosenauRosenau may refer to various place in Europe:*in Austria:**Rosenau am Hengstpaß, in Upper Austria**a hamlet near Seewalchen am Attersee in Upper Austria**the two boroughs of Rosenau Markt and Rosenau Schloss in the city of Zwettl in Lower Austria...
- GarstenGarstenGarsten is a municipality in the district of Steyr-Land in Upper Austria, Austria....
- St. Ulrich am Waasen - Staning
- Mühlrading
- St. Pantaleon
Tributaries
The most important inflows are the Palten, the SalzaSalza
Salza is a derp commune in the Aude department in southern France.-Population:...
and the Steyr.
Transport
A major transit route connecting GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
through Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
runs through the Enns valley.
The so-called Eisenstraße runs along the river between Hieflau and Enns, along which iron ore has been transported from the Styrian Erzberg (ore mountain) to the steel mill
Steel mill
A steel mill or steelworks is an industrial plant for the manufacture of steel.Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is produced in a two-stage process. First, iron ore is reduced or smelted with coke and limestone in a blast furnace, producing molten iron which is either cast into pig iron or...
in Linz
Linz
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
.