Emme river facts for kids
The Emme is a beautiful river that flows through Switzerland. It's about 80 kilometers (50 miles) long. This river gives its name to a famous area called the Emmental. The Emme eventually joins a larger river called the Aare near a town named Solothurn.
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What is the Emme River?
The Emme river starts high up in the Alps mountains. It flows down through green valleys and past small villages. Rivers like the Emme are very important for the land around them. They provide water for plants and animals. They also help shape the landscape over many years.
The Emmental Valley
The Emmental is a famous valley in Switzerland. It is known for its rolling hills and green pastures. The valley is also famous for its delicious Emmental cheese! The Emme river flows right through the heart of this valley. This is why the valley is named after the river. The word "Emmental" literally means "valley of the Emme."
Floods and River Control
Rivers can sometimes cause big floods, especially after heavy rain. The Emme river has had some very large floods in the past.
The Great Flood of 1837
One of the biggest floods happened on August 13, 1837. This flood caused a lot of damage. A famous Swiss writer named Jeremias Gotthelf wrote a story about this event. His stories often showed how people lived in Switzerland during his time.
Why Rivers are Canalized
Because of floods like the one in 1837, people decided to control the Emme river. In the 19th century, parts of the river were "canalized." This means that engineers changed the river's path and banks. They built stronger banks and made the river straighter in some places. This helps to guide the water and prevent it from overflowing its banks during heavy rains. Canalizing rivers helps protect towns and farms from flood damage.
