Lethe

The Lethe is a 40 km long stream to the west of the Hunte, which runs relatively straight from south to north. The Lethe nature reserve begins at the Ahlhorn fish ponds and ends in the municipality of Wardenburg at the Osternburg Canal. The most natural course is between the Ahlhorn fish ponds and the Sager Meeren with a more meandering form and woodland along the banks. The purpose of the protection is to preserve, develop and restore the Lethe, which is of outstanding importance as a migration route as well as a spawning and nursery ground for various species of roundmouth and fish. Among the characteristic species found in the Lethe are the otter and the kingfisher.

According to the Federal Nature Conservation Act, a nature reserve is a legally designated area in which special protection of nature and landscape is required for the conservation or restoration of ecosystems, for scientific reasons or because of their rarity, uniqueness or beauty. Actions that could lead to changes or even damage to the nature reserve are prohibited.