Gersprenz

Gersprenz is a river in the German state of Hesse and a tributary of the Main. It has a length of about 60 kilometers and drains a portion of the northern Odenwald and surrounding Hessian countryside. The river originates in the northern Odenwald foothills and flows generally northwestward, passing through settlements in the Darmstadt-Dieburg area before entering the Main near Stockstadt am Main.

The Gersprenz basin includes agricultural land, small towns, and protected natural habitats. The river supports various fish species and birds, and parts of its floodplain are designated as nature reserves to protect biodiversity. Water quality has improved in recent decades due to wastewater treatment and river restoration projects. The river has historically provided water power for mills and supported local use, and today it remains valued for recreation, landscape, and ecological importance.

In recent years, regional authorities have focused on flood management, habitat restoration, and sustainable land use along the Gersprenz to balance ecological health with local needs. The river is part of the Rhine-Main hydrological network, contributing to regional water regulation and ecological connectivity between the Odenwald and the Main valley.