On the Elbe
Elbe Sluice, below the ruins of Střekov Castle
Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons
The
website we have been watching recently features the River Elbe. The camera is
attached variously to different working barges. We don’t watch it slavishly; it’s
on in the background, like a moving panorama.
The Elbe is an important river in Central Europe. It rises in the Giant Mountains in the Czech Republic and has the fourth largest river basin in Central and Western Europe. The three other major rivers of the area are the Danube, the Vistula, and the Rhine.
The Elbe runs for 680 miles from its source to its exit to the North Sea at Cuxhaven in Germany, passing through Dresden and Hamburg. It is a significant waterway for cargo ships, but is also an important location for fishing, boating and other water-based pastimes. Its beautiful scenery attracts tourists, especially those interested in wildlife.
Today, Thursday, it has passed through the Elbe Sluice, also known as the Střekov Sluice. This lock, just below Střekov Castle, has two locks, and a fish pass to enable fish migration. The sluice is a strategic part of the region’s waterworks, producing hydroelectric power sufficient for the annual consumption of over 14,000 households.
We have seen the weather gradually deteriorating in the last few days, and the current barge is covered in snow. The low-lying green banks have been transformed into crisp white boundaries to the often frozen water. It is a grey, snowy day and we have been privileged to watch the barge’s passage from the warmth and comfort of our English home, so many hundreds of miles from the Czech Republic.
A fish pass for fish migration! What an excellent idea.
ReplyDeleteThey are often incorporated in rivers for spawning salmon in this country's rivers.
DeleteThey have similar things on rivers in the west, where they are called Salmon runs to allow salmon to swim upstream and spawn while damming the river.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have salmon runs, too. October and November are the best times to see the salmon leap.
DeleteThis would be so interesting to watch!
ReplyDeleteIt is, but we don't sit and watch it by the hour (though we could)
DeleteVery interesting. The institution of the fish passes to allow the fish to continue their migration has become a part of many of the great rivers in this country.
ReplyDeleteFish passes have been in existence in UK since 1880. Toad and frog corridors were instituted in the early 2000s. It's good to know that wildlife is being valued and defended.
DeleteThe river is rather wide and long. Like Nile. I would love to spend time photographing there
ReplyDeleteI think that would be wonderful. It's quite variable.
DeleteThere are rivers where the fish lock is operated by people - on the internet. Keep the livestream open and help open the door for the fish. Starts March 3 - https://visdeurbel.nl/en/the-fish-doorbell/
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so interesting. Thank you for the link. I shan't forget the date - it's my eldest daughter's birthday! She's Pisces, of course.
DeleteIt sounds really interesting. There's some good stuff on the Internet. xx
ReplyDeleteThere is. You can travel the world without leaving home - orf suffering stomach bugs! 😁
DeleteI would find that quite mesmerising to watch. I wouldn't get any work done!
ReplyDeleteWe just have it as background, like a panoramic view from your window. We don't have the sound on - it's often really grotty music!
DeleteI think we are very different in our viewings, we do not turn our TV on until early evening news and often turn it back off, neither of us watch much youtube. We are both book worms and listen to music all day through our Alexa speaker.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost like looking out of the window, if we had a lovely view. The sound is muted and we have our own music in the background and get on with whatever we're doing - reading, writing or whatever.
DeleteIt’s always really interesting to see what goes on, on the rivers and canals not just in the U.K. but all over the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is. We skip about to different websites around the world. Soon the ospreys will be returning to UK and it's always interesting to watch proceedings at the various nests.
DeleteWhat an interesting idea; like having a window overlooking the river.
ReplyDeleteIt is exactly that. We can fool ourselves that we're living in a fabulous house with wonderful scenery just outside the window.
DeleteWatching something casually on a webcam appeals to me. To my regret, I've not been to the marvellous Czech.
ReplyDeleteIt's very relaxing and saves a fortune on travel!
DeleteWhat? No murders? No car chases? No sex scenes? No clever detectives working things out? Without them it's not proper telly.
ReplyDeleteWe indulge in those later on. I do get fed up with the chases, though, on foot, by car or motorbike. Chases don't add much to the story, and neither do the sex scenes. I like my stories cut and dried and to the point. 😎
DeleteI grew up seeing our Ohio River every Sunday as we crossed the bridge to go to my grandmother's house. We drove right by a large lock in the barges would be toting coal. I live so many miles away from the river and I miss it so much.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been so interesting. I grew up next to a busy river, too.
DeleteThis would be fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating, though there are questions that arise and cannot always be answered.
DeleteI used to have my students label it on maps, but it has been a long time, and I required a refresher.
ReplyDeleteWe all need refresher courses from time to time.
DeleteThat sounds kind of fun. So it's a webcam, or a series of webcams?
ReplyDeleteThis particular website is one of the Slow TV sites. There are annoying commercial breaks, but they don't interfere greatly. We have the sound muted, anyway, and treat it like a window we glance out of now and then.
DeleteSitting here as the sun rises in misty pinky blue sky , a cuppa and a banger for breakfast- reading a wonderful post about a gorgeous river somewhere far away- life at this hour is sane and beautiful. Thank you
ReplyDeleteYou can believe yourself elsewhere and that's always a bonus.
DeleteThis must be so fascinating to watch. I live about 90 miles from a major canal that is used extensively by recreational boaters (in the past it was heavily commercial) and it's so much fun to watch them going through a lock.
ReplyDeleteThe operation of locks is fascinating. I like watching the old locks with a lock-keeper operating them.
DeleteThat would be interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteSounds quite fascinating, Janice. One of the bloggers I've been following for many years lives near the Elbe in Saxon Switzerland (Germany) and the scenery is just glorious! xxx
ReplyDeleteI have never been up north in Germany, in fact I have seen nearly the whole UK but not Germany. No interest I guess I prefered Italy !
ReplyDeleteFascinating.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the snow, hope your weather improves. Interesting. I've only once been where I could observe and pass through locks, and found it very interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what you can view around the world from the comfort of your own home or armchair.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan