Top 20 Natural Monuments around Graben

The Haltenberger Aue beaver reserve is located between Lech barrages 18 and 19 near Kaufering 🦫. It is a protected natural area with narrow, partly overgrown paths directly along the Lech River.

Lech Dam 18 near Kaufering is a run-of-river power plant on the Lech River with a capacity of 16.7 MW and a head of 13.3 m. In operation since 1975, it is operated by Uniper Kraftwerke and feeds electricity into the Bayernwerk AG grid.

The Haltenberger Aue beaver area is a picturesque nature reserve along the Lech, which stretches between the communities of Scheuring and Kaufering in the Landsberg am Lech district in Bavaria. This area is characterized by its diverse flora and fauna and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the traces of the beavers that live here. Location and surroundings: The Haltenberger Aue lies on the eastern bank of the Lech and is part of the “Lechtal-Nord” nature reserve. The region is characterized by alluvial forests, wetlands and a rich animal world, which is positively influenced by the activities of the beavers. Hikes and activities: For nature lovers and hikers, there are numerous ways to explore the beaver area. A popular starting point is the Oskar Weinert Hut, which is run by the Klosterlechfeld Nature Friends. From there, various hiking trails lead through the floodplain, offering insights into the beavers’ way of life and the beauty of the landscape. A recommended route is the circular hike from Lechstaustufe 18 to the Haltenberg castle ruins and back, which is about 6.1 km long and can be completed in about 1.5 hours. Special features: The presence of beavers has had a significant impact on the landscape of the Haltenberger Aue. By building dams and castles, they create new habitats for numerous other animal and plant species. With a little luck, visitors can discover beaver dams, felled trees and other traces of these fascinating animals. A visit to the Haltenberger Aue beaver area offers a wonderful opportunity to experience nature up close and learn more about the important role of beavers in the ecosystem.

The Lech barrage 18 is not only a technical structure, but also an important nature and recreation area. Here are some additional interesting facts and details: Technical features The barrage is part of a larger system of barrages along the Lech, which has been used to generate energy and regulate floods since the 1920s. The power plant itself uses Kaplan turbines, which are particularly efficient at lower head heights and ensure a uniform flow. This type of turbine is ideal for rivers such as the Lech, which have rather low gradients in this region. Ecological significance and renaturation Like many barrages, the Lech barrage 18 also has a major impact on nature. In recent decades, however, there have been extensive efforts to renature the banks and alluvial forests in order to protect the habitat for animals and plants and improve water quality. The floodplains of the Lech in particular offer valuable biotopes for numerous bird species, including rare species such as the little ringed plover and kingfisher populations.

Lake Mandicho is not only a popular local recreation area, but also plays an important role in flood protection and ecology on the Lech. Dam 23 regulates the water level, protects the surrounding areas from flooding and secures the electricity supply through hydropower. Special features and activities • Nature conservation and biodiversity: The area around Lake Mandicho provides a habitat for numerous animal and plant species. The fish ladder and the bypass waterway created in 2016 are ecological improvements that allow migratory fish to bypass the dam and migrate back through the Lech. This contributes significantly to the restoration of natural fish migration routes. • Diverse leisure activities: The lake not only attracts bathers and water sports enthusiasts, but is also a hotspot for bird watchers. Many birds use the shore areas as a resting and breeding ground, which makes the lake attractive for ornithologists and nature lovers. • Events: Occasionally, events and competitions take place around the lake, such as water sports events or nature tours. Especially in summer, Lake Mandicho also attracts many families for picnics and shared activities. • Cultural significance: The name “Lake Mandicho” honors the legendary Bavarian prince Mandicho, which indicates the historical significance of the region. Lake Mandicho combines modern technical functions with nature conservation and leisure activities and is a

You always see traces of the beaver and with a lot of luck even a specimen 👍

If you love nature, this is the place for you 🤩 Very varied paths

Unfortunately I didn't see any beavers, but the path and the landscape are so beautiful that you can expect to see all kinds of animals at any time 👍