Pegnitz River Facts for Kids

The Pegnitz is a small river in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. It flows through a beautiful part of the country. The river is important for the cities it passes through, especially Nuremberg.

Quick facts for kids Pegnitz
The Pegnitz in Nuremberg.
Country	Germany
Physical characteristics
Main source	Franconia 425 m (1,394 ft)
River mouth	Regnitz 49°29′11″N 10°59′12″E / 49.48639°N 10.98667°E / 49.48639; 10.98667
Length	112.6 km (70.0 mi), with Fichtenohe 127.3 km (79.1 mi)
Basin features
Progression	Regnitz→ Main→ Rhine→ North Sea
Basin size	1,230 km² (470 sq mi)

Where Does the Pegnitz Start and End?
Animals Living in the Pegnitz
Rivers and Creeks Joining the Pegnitz
Cities Along the River
A Look at the River's History
Images for kids
See also

Where Does the Pegnitz Start and End?

The Pegnitz river begins in the city also named Pegnitz. Its source is at a height of 425 meters (about 1,394 feet). The river flows for about 115 kilometers (71 miles). It meets another river called the Rednitz near Fürth. After they join, the river changes its name to Regnitz.

Animals Living in the Pegnitz

Many animals live in and around the Pegnitz river. You can often see ducks swimming peacefully. Swans also glide gracefully on the water. Sometimes, you might even spot gulls flying overhead or resting by the banks.

Rivers and Creeks Joining the Pegnitz

Several smaller rivers and creeks flow into the Pegnitz. These are called affluents. They add water to the Pegnitz as it travels.

Högenbach (a creek that joins from the left side)
Röthenbach (another creek)

Cities Along the River

The Pegnitz river flows through several interesting cities. Here are some of them, listed from where the river starts to where it ends:

Pegnitz: This is the city where the river begins.
Neuhaus on the Pegnitz
Hersbruck
Lauf an der Pegnitz
Röthenbach an der Pegnitz
Nuremberg: The river flows for about 14 kilometers (9 miles) through Nuremberg. In the city, the river sometimes splits into smaller channels. Many bridges and footbridges cross the river here. One famous bridge is the Kettensteg, an iron suspension bridge built in 1824. There is also a weir (a small dam) west of the Maxbrücke.

A Look at the River's History

In February 1909, there was a very big flood in Nuremberg. After this flood, people shortened the river's path within the city. They made it about four kilometers (2.5 miles) shorter.

However, since 1996, there have been plans to make the river longer again. People want to shape the river between Nuremberg and Fürth in a more natural way. This helps the environment and makes the river look more like it did before.