Mandau
The Mandau in Zittau
Course
It rises north of the 580.6 m high Wolfsberg in several sources in the North Bohemian Netherlands, which is at 515 meters above sea level in Panský unite. Coming from Zahrady flows to another source stream at Nové Křečany. From there, the Mandau flows in a southeasterly direction through Rumburk, Seifhennersdorf and Varnsdorf. Then it flows through to the east another part of Upper Lusatia, in their water when other about Grossschönau where the Lausur flows from Hainewalde by the Roschertal to Mittelherwigsdorf where the land water flows and finally reaches to Zittau, where they directly east of the city 227.7 m above sea level. NN flows into the Lusatian Neisse.
Etymology
As a notation from the 14th century Mandw is known. At that time there was also a district of Zittau Mandow and a porta Mandauie = Mandau - gate. The name can be traced back to the Slavic mantava for cloudy water.
Water management and consequences
The Mandau is one of the rivers in the southern Upper Lusatia, which is characterized by a very irregular water supply. In addition, in the historical descriptions are a number of floods in the places Grossschönau, Hainewalde and Zittau mentioned with damage to homes, bridges and lives. For this reason, the mid-19th century of professionals already been thought about, at least partially mitigate the risk of flooding by regulations. In April 1895 work was begun in Zittau, which should create a 40 -meter wide and 5.15 meters high deep river bed and dams. This resulted in a significant shortening of the river by 400 meters between the Olbersdorfer bridge and the mouth, as the Mandau previously was a very meandering in this area. The former construction costs accounted for one million marks.
Since the beginning of the 20th century was followed by further regulations by developing measures on all remaining sections of the Mandau, especially in the towns and on the railway lines.
Reserves
The Mandau is partially protected both as a landscape reserve " Mandautal " as well as FFH area " Mandautal ".
Others
After determination of Grosser (1714 ), there were " about Zittau on the Mandau the most beautiful canvas - bleaching".