Observation Platform at the Hase-Else Bifurcation

Here at the bifurcation, the terrain can be clearly observed on the viewing platform. A biotope has formed around the bifurcation.

Welcome to the bifurcation. Initial information is available in the parking lot in the access area.
Welcome to the bifurcation. Initial information is available in the parking lot in the access area.
From afar you can see what the bifurcation is all about: one river becomes two.
From afar you can see what the bifurcation is all about: one river becomes two.

What is a bifurcation anyway?

The word comes from Latin. “Bi” means two - and the “furca” is a fork. So we are dealing with a fork here, namely rivers. At the location of the bifurcation in Melle, the hare loses a third of its water to the Else.

The next question now immediately arises: What is the difference between a bifurcation and a normal river bifurcation?

Anyone looking at a map will notice that a relatively large number of rivers fork, some several times. So what is special about this bifurcation in Melle? In fact, it is not just a new tributary of the hare that is created here - but a completely independent river that later joins another river system. While the Hase flows over the Ems towards the North Sea, the Else reaches the North Sea over the Werre and Weser. That is a geographical feature. There is something similar only in a few places in the world, for example in South America on the Orinoco.

Flora, fauna and culture Numerous information boards on local conditions along the route.