Michelsbach

Michelsbach
The Michelsbach and its three main tributaries (from the north) Klingbach, Erlenbach and Otterbach
State	Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Reference no.	DE: 23754
Basin features
Main source	Origin: Confluence of the Erlenbach and Otterbach in Leimersheim about 98 m above sea level (NN) 49°07′36″N 8°20′35″E / 49.126528°N 8.34306°E / 49.126528; 8.34306Coordinates: 49°07′36″N 8°20′35″E / 49.126528°N 8.34306°E / 49.126528; 8.34306
River mouth	Via the Sondernheim Altrhein into the Rhine about 96 m above sea level (NN) 49°11′15″N 8°22′50″E / 49.18750°N 8.38056°E / 49.18750; 8.38056
Progression	Rhine → North Sea
River system	Rhine
Basin size	336.907 km²
Tributaries	Left: Otterbach (nominally not a tributary), Erlenbach, Klingbach
Physical characteristics
Length	12.39 km

The Michelsbach is a tributary of the River Rhine in the German region of South Palatinate. Its nominal start is the confluence of the Erlenbach and Otterbach in Leimersheim, but the Otterbach is officially not counted within its catchment area, but seen as a tributary of the Rhine. On the other hand, the Klingbach which joins it from the north and is roughly equally in volume (and also the Erlenbach) is counted as a tributary of the Michelsbach.

The Michelsbach drains partly into the Leimersheim Old Rhine (Leimersheimer Altrhein), and partly flows northwards and empties into the Sondernheim Old Rhine (Sondernheimer Altrhein). In doing so it passes through the municipalities of Leimersheim and Hördt as well as the Hördter Rheinaue nature reserve.

The Michelsbach is an outstanding river for canoeing, both for ordinary canoes as well as Canadian canoes. However, the stream has several forks as it makes its way northwards, some of which are dead ends.