The Franconian Saale begins in the region of Grabfeld east and southeast of Bad Königshofen at the confluence of two headstreams:
The Saalbrunnen, its northern headstream, rises at the so-called "Source of the Franconian Saale" (Fränkische Saale Quelle), 1.7 km east of Alsleben (a district of Trappstadt) on the road to Gompertshausen below the 390-metre-high (1,280 ft) Kapellenberg at a height of 313 metres above sea level (NN). The first enclosed wellspring was made of sandstone in the 1940s, it was redesigned in 1973, but its present appearance dates to 1985. Since 1987, it has had a bronze plaque by the artist, Erich Husemann, affixed to it, explaining the significance of the Franconian Saale.
The Salzloch, the southern headstream of the Franconian Saale, rises a few miles to the south near the mill of Heckenmühle at the "Source of the Saale" (Saale Quelle), which is found near Obereßfeld (part of the municipality of Sulzdorf an der Lederhecke). It is also known as the Saalegraben und Dagigbach and its confluence with the northern stream is near Bad Königshofen-Untereßfeld.
The names of the two headstream sources indicate that they both claim to be the source of the Franconian Saale itself. A possible third source is Brennhausen.
Course and mouth
From the confluence of its headwaters, south-east of Bad Königshofen, the Franconian Saale flows in a broadly southwesterly direction along the southeastern edge of the Rhön Mountains in central Germany. It passes through Bad Neustadt, Bad Bocklet, Bad Kissingen, Hammelburg and Gräfendorf to Gemünden, where it joins the River Main from the northeast.
Catchment area
The water catchment area of the Franconian Saale is 2,765 km2. Its kilometrage is measured from its confluence with the Main (0.00 km on the Saale, 211.0 km on the Main) to its more distant source at Alsleben (135.0 km).
Name
The Franconian Saale is mentioned for the first time in the year 777 under the names Salu and Sala in a register from the town of Fulda. These terms both have the general meaning of "flowing waters" and had already been documented by the Greek geographer, Strabo (ca. 63 b.c.–a.d. 23).
Ecology
The Franconian Saale has been altered by man for centuries in order to farm the Saale valley more intensively. The river was straightened by cutting across its meanders. The width of the river has also been standardized for long sections. Riparian forests were cleared and its banks reinforced, water mills and small hydropower stations and weirs were built and former flood zones were built on.
All this has seriously affected the ecological function of the river. Embankments and dams change its flow rate and consistency (Durchgängigkeit), destroying the unity of the river and meadow and encouraging devastating flooding. For several years the water authority in Schweinfurt has instigated projects to try, at least in part, to return the Franconian Saale to its former ecological role by removing bank reinforcements, circumnavigating weirs and regenerating riparian woodland.
Towns and villages close to the Saale that are particularly affected by regular flooding are Bad Kissingen, Westheim, Diebach, Gräfendorf, Wolfsmünster and Gemünden, as the highwater marks on historic buildings show. Bad Kissingen rarely escapes several flooding each year. However, flood protection measures involving the construction of weirs and defensive barriers have been implemented in its historic town centre.
Gauging stations
Gauging stations are located in Bad Kissingen (the Prinzregentenbau Gauge) and Wolfsmünster (Saale Bridge Gauge). The measurements are published by the Schweinfurt Water Authority (Wasserwirtschaftsamt Schweinfurt).
Tributaries
Confluence of the two headstreams near UntereßfeldMouth of the Sinn on the Franconian SaaleThe Franconian Saale in Bad Kissingen (spa park)
After the confluence of the two headstreams the following tributaries flow into the Franconian Saale:
The Krummengraben near Bad Königshofen (from the right)
Footbridge over the upper Saale near UntereßfeldPontoon bridge over the Franconian Saale (Roßmühle)Saale bridge near MichelauWeir and fish ladder by the Roßmühle mill
Important crossings include:
A 71 motorway bridge at km post 108.3 near Hollstadt
There are numerous weirs on the Franconian Saale, originally built in order to drive water mills, but today some are used to generate electricity. All weirs are equipped with fish ladders:
Weir at km post 58.5 near Bad Kissingen
Weir at km post 50.5 Karwinkelsmühle
Two weirs at km post 48.0 near Aura
Weir at km post 43.8 near Trimberg
Saalemühle mill weir at km post 41.9 near Elfershausen
Weir at km post 38.5 near Langendorf
Weir at km post 37.7 near Westheim
Fuchsstätter Mühlen mill weir at km post 36.8
Hammelburg Herrenmühle mill weir at km post 29.1
Weir at the old power station for Altstadt Abbey (Hammelburg) at km post 28.1
Saaleck Castle weir at km post 27.6
Rödermühle mill weir km post 24.1
Weir at km post 22.5 Neumühle power station
at km post 17.0 Weir Roßmühle power station
Weir at km post 7.7 Wolfsmünster
Schönau Abbey weir at km post 4.0
Weir at km post 1.5 Gemünden (ruined)
Boating
In spite of the many weirs the Franconian Saale is popular with canoeists as a slowly flowing river route. The river may be canoed from Bad Neustadt to Gemünden with a few restrictions. Boats may have up to four seats, be no longer than 6.00 metres and no wider than 1.10 metres. Rafting and the coupling of boats is not permitted.
The Saale Valley Railway
The railway line from Bad Kissingen to Gemünden via Hammelburg and Gräfendorf known as the Saale Valley Railway runs along the lower course of the Franconian Saale. Until 1997 the Grabfeld Railway ran along its upper reaches linking Bad Neustadt and Bad Königshofen.
