Ennepe

Ennepe
Country	Germany
Basin
Main source	Sauerland 422 m (1,385 ft)
River mouth	Volme 99 m (325 ft) 51°21′56″N 7°27′16″E / 51.3656°N 7.4544°E / 51.3656; 7.4544Coordinates: 51°21′56″N 7°27′16″E / 51.3656°N 7.4544°E / 51.3656; 7.4544
Physical characteristics
Length	42 km (26 mi)

The Ennepe is a river and a left tributary of the Volme in Northern Sauerland, Germany. It gave its name to the town Ennepetal and the district Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis.

Course

The Ennepe begins in the Märkischer Kreis southeast of Halver at 422 m above sea level and continues to the Ennepetalsperre (reservoir, 307 m above sea level). The river flows through Ennepetal, Gevelsberg and the western boroughs of Hagen. It flows into the Volme near Hagen Central Station (elevation: 99 m above sea level). The river is partially canalized.

Flora and fauna

The Ennepe provides habitat for numerous animal and plant types. Among there are fish, the grey heron, neophyte plants and Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis, in Hagen).

Use

In the pre-industrial age mills were built alongside the river; in the 19th and 20th centuries several small iron plants were operated there.