Rems and Winterbach · River, water, nature and history

Questions about the Rems and Winterbach

Here you will find the most common questions about the Rems in Winterbach with a short answer. The full answer with all sources is on the linked page in each case.

The river

Where does the Rems rise?

In the Remsursprung, a karst spring about three kilometres south-west of Essingen in the Ostalbkreis district, at about 551 metres. → Tributaries of the Rems

How long is the Rems and where does it end?

78.4 kilometres according to Wikipedia, "approx. 80 km" according to the municipality of Essingen. It joins the Neckar at Neckarrems (Remseck am Neckar). → The Rems at Winterbach

How large is the catchment of the Rems?

582.6 square kilometres in total, 418 square kilometres at the Schorndorf gauge. → Tributaries of the Rems

What is the largest tributary of the Rems?

Above Winterbach, the Wieslauf from Welzheim Forest, 23.7 kilometres long, with a catchment of 77.2 square kilometres. It joins shortly before Schorndorf. → Tributaries of the Rems

Which streams flow into the Rems in Winterbach?

The Weilerbach and the water of the Höffenklinge shortly before the Ostlandstraße bridge, downstream the Lehenbach, Krebsbach, Bücklensweilerbach, Alsebach and, on the boundary with Remshalden, the Schweinbach. → Map of the Winterbach streams

Water and floods

Where is the water level of the Rems measured for Winterbach?

At the Schorndorf gauge of the Flood Forecasting Centre Baden-Württemberg (HVZ), just under two kilometres above the "Remswehr". Our wave preview on the home page shows its values live. → Flow of the Rems

What is the structure under the Ostlandstraße bridge?

The outlet structure of the Schorndorf/Winterbach flood retention basin, called the "Remswehr" locally. During floods the gates are closed here. → Flood protection

When was the Schorndorf/Winterbach retention basin full?

Documented are 13 January 2011 and the flood weekend at the beginning of June 2024, when it was full to the brim twice. → Flood protection

Why does the Rems carry so little water in summer?

The Rems lives on rain and groundwater, not on snow or glacier meltwater. In late summer the stores are empty, and in August and September less than 1 m³/s flows on many days. In 2022, 2025 and 2026 taking water from the Rems and streams was therefore banned at times; in August 2026 the Rems ran dry near Mögglingen. → Flow of the Rems

What was the largest flood on the Rems?

Since measurements began in 1931, that of 3 March 1956 with a daily mean of 230 m³/s at the Schorndorf gauge. The most recent among the ten largest was that of 1 June 2024 with 130 m³/s. → The Rems in figures

Was timber floated on the Rems?

Yes, as a log drive with loose firewood for Ludwigsburg from 1723, with timber chutes among other places at Winterbach and Schorndorf. The last timber was floated in 1862, shortly after the Rems railway opened. → The Rems through time · → The forgotten wave of Winterbach

Nature

Where was the Rems restored in Winterbach?

In 2018, between the Winterbach treatment plant and the Hebsack bridge, over about 1.1 kilometres. → Restoration at Winterbach

Are there beavers on the Rems?

Yes, between Winterbach and Remshalden since March 2022; after the 2024 flood they disappeared for a time, and they have been back since April 2025. → Wildlife and plants

Which fish live in the Rems?

Documented species include barbel, common nase, brown trout and bullhead. An official species list for Winterbach has not been published. → Wildlife and plants

Is there a weir in Winterbach?

The "Remswehr" is the outlet structure of the flood retention basin; at normal water levels it has no step. Upstream, just before the Remsknie (bend of the Rems), there is a small fixed sill. → Weirs and fish passage

Water quality and bathing

How clean is the Rems?

Under the EU Water Framework Directive, the ecological status in the Winterbach section is "unsatisfactory", mainly because of the altered habitat; the pollution from waste water is rated "good". The chemical status is "not good". → Water quality of the Rems

Can you bathe in the Rems?

The Rems is not a designated bathing water; the health office advises against bathing because of the current and the water quality. We have not found an explicit bathing ban. → Water quality of the Rems

Sources: see the linked pages.

Last updated: 15 October 2026 · Initiative Remswelle