Osternburger Kanal

The Osternburg Canal forms an important corridor for migrating fish and cyclostomes that come up from the North Sea into the waters of the “Ems-Hunte-Geest”, where their spawning and nursery grounds are located. It also serves the migration of juveniles to their marine habitats and fulfills other functions for aquatic life as a connecting water and temporary habitat. Two species appear to play a major role here: The river lamprey and the brook lamprey. These fish-like animals migrate from the upper reaches of rivers and streams to the sea in the course of their lives, live there for just over a year and then return to spawn. The continuity of watercourses on their migration route is essential for their survival. The canal also has an important hydraulic engineering function. Due to the waterworks on the Hunte in Oldenburg, the water level of the Hunte is difficult to regulate without an additional valve. This valve function is performed by the Osternburg Canal.

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.