The best walks and hikes around Marxheim

•Construction began in October 2015 •Continuous trial operation from February 2017 •Inauguration in May 2017 •Length: 1,150 m •Located on the left bank of the river around the Bertoldsheim traction power plant on the Danube, overcoming a total elevation difference of up to 7.2 m •Construction costs: €2.85 million •Most complex technical-natural fishway to date in the German section of the Danube •33 kilometers of the river in the section between the Bittenbrunn Danube power plant and the Donauwörth power plant are fish-friendly Explanation of the information panel regarding the Bertoldsheim fishway diagram: The entry structure of the fishway (FAA) is located approximately 500 m below, and the exit structure approximately 150 m above, the power plant. The elevation difference between them is up to 7.20 m, depending on the water level. The Fish's Path Upstream An artificial island in the Danube creates an attracting current and shows the fish the way directly to the entrance (point 1). A 120-meter-long (2) rough channel with 20 naturally designed pools creates a 1.8-meter elevation difference that is passable. The rough channel is connected to the existing bypass (3), which already has the character of a floodplain stream with spawning grounds. As a natural fishway, it is used for fish migration over a distance of 700 meters and overcomes an elevation difference of 60 cm. With its rootstocks, loose gravel, and varied course, it is not only an optimal migration corridor but also an attractive habitat for fauna and flora. Fish find ideal spawning and refuge sites here. The adjoining rough channel basin pass (4), with a length of 210 meters and 39 naturally designed pools, creates a further 3.2-meter elevation difference that is passable for fish. The exit structure is a vertical slot pass (5) constructed using technical construction methods. In 21 staggered concrete basins, the fish can overcome the remaining height difference of up to 1.80 m to the Danube reservoir. The slot pass has six automatically controlled gates (6) to regulate the water flow into the FAA according to the reservoir height. The flow averages 500 liters per second (3.3 bathtubs filled with 150 liters each). A trough structure penetrates the dam and connects the fish ladder to the Danube. Here, the fish return to the Danube above the power plant (7). Fish ladders like this contribute significantly to river continuity, promote river ecology, and the genetic diversity of aquatic life.

It's cool to see that the Danube is much smaller than the Lech!

Dammweg is closed due to construction and cannot be passed

The Danube turns from a river into a stream

very nice view from up here

After 256km, the Lech flows into the Danube here.

At Bertoldsheim, the Danube is dammed by a dam, which also has a sluice. The reservoir is a popular sailing area and also popular with canoeists. The adjacent smaller reservoirs are a bird sanctuary, so with a little luck you can see different species such as herons.

From this position, the Danube Bridge, the confluence of the Lech and Danube rivers can be observed beautifully – and relatively safely. If you want to get closer to the estuary, you should be sufficiently supplied with Autan from the first warm weather of the year.