Norder- und Süderelbe

At the Bunthäuser Spize the river splits into the Norderelbe and the Süderelbe. The Norderelbe runs through the Hamburg city area (Speicherstadt, Landungsbrücken). The southern main arm leads into the branched seaport area and through the Köhlbrand. At km 625.7 both arms join again and form the 100 km long delta of the Lower Elbe. The course of the river ends at the Kugelbake Cuxhafen at km 727.7, but officially only at km 769.4 on the open North Sea.

Below the barrage Geesthacht, the tides of the North Sea determine the water depth. They amount to 2.2 m in the buoyed fairway up to km 607.5 at mean tidal NW and can rise to 5.8 m (and more) at tidal HW.

Caution: The specified WT of 2.2 m at mean tidal NW applies only to the buoyed main fairway. Shore areas, side arms, harbours and jetties are excluded and may run dry. Without local knowledge, areas outside the fairway should be avoided, or only approached at high tide (observe the tide calendar).

Below Billwerder Bay, the port of Hamburg should only be navigated by seagoing pleasure craft. As a result of wind, tides and heavy shipping traffic, heavy swells may occur in the following section of the Elbe.

The navigation depth in the Norderelbe at MTH is 4.8 m, the mean tidal range is 3.5 m.

The depth of the southern Elbe at MTH is 4.7 m, the average tidal range is 3.5 m.

In the tide-independent Dove Elbe, which can be navigated as far as Bergedorf, you will find guest moorings, some with good service, and supply facilities at numerous yacht, sailing and sports boat clubs. Target depth at MW 1.5 m, DH 4 m, zHg 8 km/h.

Status to km 607.4: WSP Hamburg (WSPK 3 Lauenburg) Tel. 04153-229, in the Hamburg harbour area: WSP Hamburg (WSPK 2) Tel. 040-428665-265 u. 266