Ascherbach (river)

The Ascherbach is a left tributary of the Lichte in Thuringia, Germany, and is 4 km long.

Ascherbach
Location
CountryGermany
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationNeuhaus am Rennweg
  coordinates50°30′28.4″N 11°08′30.6″E
  elevationca. 800 m (2,600 ft)
Mouth 
  location
Lichte
  coordinates
50°31′05″N 11°10′38″E
  elevation
ca. 615 m (2,018 ft)
Length4 km (2.5 mi)
Basin size9 km2 (3.5 sq mi)
Basin features
ProgressionLichteSchwarzaSaaleElbeNorth Sea

Sources

The Ascherbach rises in Neuhaus am Rennweg (city quarter Schmalenbuche) close to the Rennsteig, the watershed between Franconia and Thuringia in the Thuringian Highland.

Course

On its way northeast through the Nature Park Thuringia Wald, the Ascherbach flows first through the Schmalenbuche (city quarter of Neuhaus am Rennweg), terns to east and follows the so-called Neuhaeuser Grund (Neuhaus Valley), and finally to reach the housing estate Ascherbach (western municipality part of Lichte). The most western part of this housing estate is also called Glanzfiertel which is an indication to placer gold and gold prospecting.

On the intersection of the two municipality sections Lichte (Ascherbach) / Lichte (Waschdorf) the brook flows into the Lichte River and follows further the Lichte Valley to the Leibis-Lichte Dam and to the mouth into the Schwarza.

Name

The name Ascherbach doubtless derives from Asche and Bach (ash and brook/rivulet). In earliest documentary records, which go back to 1386, the Ascherbach was named Glaseseiff (placer gold deposit). This mediaeval naming, in connection with Glanzviertel and Glaseseiff, are indications that the stream was a known source of gold

In fact the rivers and streams in the area of the Lichte valley have been known for centuries for deposits of placer gold and are considered to be the most significant sources of gold in Germany. Recreational placer miners continue to find occasional gold nuggets.[1]

See also

References

  1. Rich. Christian Kreibich, Goldwäscherei (in German)
  • Markus Schade: Gold in Thüringen (Thüringer Landesanstalt für Geologie, Weimar 2001)
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