Alme (river)
| Alme | |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Basin | |
| Main source |
Sauerland ±340 m (1,120 ft) |
| River mouth |
Lippe 51°44′55″N 8°42′25″E / 51.74861°N 8.70694°ECoordinates: 51°44′55″N 8°42′25″E / 51.74861°N 8.70694°E |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 50 km (31 mi) |
The Alme is a 50-kilometre (31 mi) long river in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is a left tributary of the Lippe, into which it flows near Paderborn. The Alme defines the Alme Valley and flows through the towns Büren, Borchen and Paderborn.
Tributaries
History
Flood of 1965
In July 1965 an extraordinary flood happened which became part of history as a local flood of the century called "Heinrichsflut" (Henry-Flood). After heavy rain on July 15, 16 and 17, cellars were flooded. In the village Wewelsburg a bridge was crashed, pioneers of the Army had to be involved. Streets transformed to rivers, the train and bus traffic had to be stopped. As a result of the flood, which also involved the tributaries of the Alme and the Lippe, the "Wasserverband Obere Lippe" was founded, targeting on preventing future floods by building detention basins.
Flood of 2007
On August 22, 2007 the Alme flooded around Büren, after heavy rainfalls of partly 70 l rain/m² in one night. In the Village Weine the record of 1965 was overflooded. Even though the flood was not as dramatic as that of 1965 the schools in Büren had to be closed earlier than usual, some streets could not be passed. 220 firemen of the local fire brigades had to clear out flooded cellars and to prepare several houses by using Sandbags.