Marka und Ohe

Marka and Ohe, is the regional common collective name for the two source rivers of the promised Ems, also called Sater -Ems or Saterländer Ems.

The source of Marka ( Old High German mark - border) is about 20 kilometers away from Cloppenburg between relieving and Werlte in Bockholter can and today is in some places its river course, the boundary between the Emsland and the Oldenburger Munsterland. The Markatal is due to its closeness to nature and the high water quality of the river is a paradise for animal and plant life. Reedbeds and Riet surfaces alternate with wetlands and swamp forests. Fish, amphibians and reptiles are here as well as home to many breeding birds. Northwest of Neuscharrel, a few hundred meters south of the coastal channel flow the Marka and in the Ohe for Sater -Ems together. On the crest of Neuscharrel the confluence of the two rivers is presented.

The Ohe ( High German aha - running water) rises in the Emsland region just south of the nature reserve " upper reaches of the Ohe " in the field of Emsland community Spahnharrenstätte. It flows through the communities Spahnharrenstätte, Börger, Breddenberg, esters ways Hilkenbrook and Neuscharrel. South of the Hümmlinggemeinde ester Roads Loruper Beeke flows into the Ohe. The field of Ohe is characterized by a "gentle " tourism. In the district Börger part of Hümmlinger pilgrimage route leads past the bank of the creek. In the 19th and 20th century, the power of flowing water of Ohe by several mills was, as used for example by the defunct Walke Mill in Börger.

Both rivers have a length of around 35 kilometers. From the confluence of a few hundred meters south of the coastal channel Marka and Ohe form the Ems promised, among other things, to the 19th century was used as a trade route for peat and flows Barßel ​​in the Leda.

The history of the Sa ( g) terlandes is closely linked to the promised Ems. Until the 19th century, surrounded by moors Saterland could only be reached by boat via the promised Ems. She was thus the only transport route to transport goods and people between the Saterland and the environment. Therefore, at that time was a lively boat traffic on the river and in places like Strücklingen some yards were operated. The promised Ems with Marka and Ohe were in the Middle Ages a trade route between the North Sea coast and the Westphalian hinterland; then 1457 Groningen secured by the Treaty with the chiefs of Greetsiel Esen and unhindered trade to Westphalia in Sagelderland after Friesoythe.