View source for Werse

{{Short description|River in Germany}}
{{Infobox river<!-- de:Template:Infobox Fluss -->
| name = Werse
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| image = Wersemuendung.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = Confluence of the Werse with the Ems near Münster-Gelmer
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[Germany]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[States of Germany|State]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[North Rhine-Westphalia]]
| subdivision_type3 = Reference no.
| subdivision_name3 = DE:&nbsp;32
| length = 66.6&nbsp;km {{GeoQuelle|DE-NW|TIM}}
| width_avg =
| depth_avg =
| source1_location = Source: near [[Beckum, Germany|Beckum]] from three headstreams
| source1_coordinates = {{Coord|51.7580417|8.0481083|type:river_region:DE-NW|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| source1_elevation = {{Höhe|112|DE-NN|link=true }}
| mouth_location = near [[Münster-Gelmer]] into the [[Ems (river)|Ems]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|52.0347056|7.682775|type:river_region:DE-NW|format=dms|display=inline}}
| mouth_elevation = {{Höhe|41|DE-NN|link=true}}
| basin_population =
| basin_landmarks = {{ubl|Cities: [[Münster (Westfalen)|Münster]]|Large towns: [[Ahlen]], [[Beckum, Germany|Beckum]]|Small towns: [[Drensteinfurt]], [[Sendenhorst]]}}
| progression = {{REms}}
| basin_size = {{cvt|762.47|km2}} {{GeoQuelle|DE-NW|TIM}}
| discharge1_location =
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg =
| discharge1_max =
| tributaries_right =
| tributaries_left =
| waterbodies =
| ports =
| bridges =
| custom_label = References
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}
The '''Werse''' [{{IPA|de|ˈvɛʁzə}}]  (river no. 32) is a {{convert|67|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}}, left-hand tributary of the [[Ems (river)|River Ems]] in [[Münsterland]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] in Germany. The [[Drainage basin|catchment area]] of the Werse is 762.47&nbsp;km². Its name may be derived from a pre-Indo-European language, [[Vasconic substratum theory|Vasconic]], from which the [[Basque language]] developed. Its [[water quality]] is Class II-III and, in places, Class II. Contamination from communal sewage farms, fish ponds, but especially diffuse contamination from agriculture pollutes the mass balance of the Werse and leads to [[eutrophication]] along the entire river course, especially in the [[retention basin]] areas.<ref>''Gewässersteckbrief der Werse.'' Ministerium für Umwelt und Naturschutz, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen  [http://193.159.219.153/bestandsaufn/daten/ems/tab/tab1_2_4.pdf]</ref>
== Course ==
The Werse rises in the [[Beckum Hills]] near [[Beckum, Germany|Beckum]] from three headstreams: the ''Lippbach'', ''[[Kollenbach]]'' and ''[[Siechenbach (Kollenbach)|Siechenbach]]''. The name ''Werse'' is used from the Osttor and above the Kollenbach. From Beckum the Werse flows westwards. Shortly before [[Ahlen]] it turns northwest and, near [[Drensteinfurt]], then via [[Albersloh]] it flows northwards. Near [[Münster-Gelmer]] near the [[Haskenau]] it finally discharges into the [[Ems (river)|Ems]]. The river is regulated by several overflow [[weir]]s.
== Fauna ==
The Werse is a popular destination for anglers because of its rich fish stock. [[Perch]], [[Northern Pike|Pike]], [[Catfish]], [[Pikeperch]] and white fish species such as [[Carp]], [[Tench]], [[Bream]] occur here. Moreover, rare animals like the [[Kingfisher]] and [[Grass Snake]] may also be observed along the river.
==Sport and tourism ==
[[File:Werse January2010.JPG|thumb|Canoes on the Werse in winter]]
The Werse is the home river of the Alberslohe Canoe Club (''Albersloher Kanu Club 1989''), canoe section of TG Münster, the Münster Canoe Club 1923 (''Paddelsport Münster von 1923'') and Münster Canoe Club 1922 ( ''Kanuverein Münster 1922'') There are also many [[boat house]]s belonging to ''[[Studentenverbindung]]en'' on the river. Especially in summer the river is heavily used by commercial boat hire organisations..
In April 2007 the Werse Cycleway (''Werseradweg'') was opened. It starts in [[Rheda-Wiedenbrück]] and runs along the Werse and its surrounding countryside for 122&nbsp;km. The cycleway ends near the confluence with the Ems near Münster-Gelmer.
== Stadium ==
*The Werse is widely known because a football stadium, the [[Wersestadion]], is named after it. The stadium is the home of the [[Rot Weiss Ahlen]] football club which plays in the [[3rd Liga (DFB)|German 3rd Division]].
== Tributaries ==
*Rüenkolk
*Rattbach
*Stelterbach
*Elkerbach
*[[Olfe (Werse)|Olfe]]
*Kälberbach (Werse)
*Erlebach
*Suerbach
*Umlaufbach
*Flaggenbach
*Ahrenhorster Bach
*Westerbach (Werse)
*[[Emmerbach]]
*[[Angel (river)|Angel]]
*[[Honebach]]
*Kreuzbach (Werse)
== Mills ==
* Werse Mill
* Verings Mill
* Pleister Mill (''Pleistermühle'')
* Sud Mill (''Sudmühle'')
* Havichhorst Mill
== Navigation ==
A small steamer plied the section of river between the Sud and Pleister mills in the 19th century during the summer months several times a day.<ref>''Mittel- und Norddeutschland: Handbuch für Reisende.'' Ausgabe 14 (1885) p. 329 [https://books.google.com/books?id=jrfTAAAAMAAJ&q=Dampfboot+werse&dq=Dampfboot+werse&hl=de]</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.umweltamt.org/alt/klue/ Hochwasser-Aktionsplan Werse] {{in lang|de}}
*Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts ''Kanusport und Naturschutz'' der Universität Münster [http://www.lanuv.nrw.de/natur/mun/kanu/kanusport_u_naturschutz_164_187.pdf www.lanuv.nrw (.pdf)]
*[http://www.kreis-warendorf.de/w1/11057.0.html Werse-Rad-Weg]. {{in lang|de}} Information about Warendorf district
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Rivers of North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Münster (region)]]
[[Category:Rivers of Germany]]