Brunau (Örtze)
# Brunau (Örtze)

The Brunau is a 11.0-kilometre (6.8 mi) long stream of Lower Saxony, Germany, in the district of Celle, on the Lüneburg Heath.

## Source and course

The Brunau rises in the vicinity of Nindorf, flows initially northeast to south of Hetendorf [de] (a district of Südheide). Here it swings east, runs past Bonstorf to the north and then continues in a southeastern direction. North of the village of Baven the stream is dammed. Originally it powered a water mill here, the Backebergsmühle, a water-driven corn mill. The Brunau flows right under the building. Shortly before its mouth the Brunau merges with an old, now overgrown, meadow-irrigation channel. With this channel it discharges into the Örtze near Baven north of Hermannsburg.

* The Brunau near the Backeberg mill
* Old sluice on the Örtze. Right: the Brunau; left: the old meadow irrigation channel

## Water quality

The Brunau derives its name from its brown (Low German: bruun) water. Its quality however is Class II throughout: moderately polluted.

