 | This article includes a list ofgeneral references, butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations. Please help toimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(October 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Oste | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Lower Saxony |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • elevation | 31 m (102 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Elbe |
• coordinates | 53°50′22″N9°1′6″E / 53.83944°N 9.01833°E /53.83944; 9.01833 |
| Length | 156.0 km (96.9 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 1,715 km2 (662 sq mi)[1] |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Elbe→North Sea |
Oste (German pronunciation:[ˈoːstə,ˈɔstə]) is a river in northernLower Saxony,Germany with a length of 156 km (97 mi). It is a left tributary of theElbe.
The Oste flows through thedistricts of Harburg,Rotenburg,Stade andCuxhaven and empties into theElbe river nearOtterndorf. Its drainage area is 1.715 km2 (0.662 sq mi) and the decline between the source and the estuary is 31 m (102 ft). Tributaries areRamme,Aue,Twiste, Bade,Bever andMehe.
The Oste is part of theDeutsche Fährstraße, an institution similar to the AmericanNational Scenic Byways. It connects various places betweenBremervörde andKiel with relation to the history offerries and crossing of rivers, like the historic transporter bridges inRendsburg andOsten. Also at the Oste there are twopram ferries inGräpel andBrobergen. The ferry in Gräpel is actually manually operated.
Although recognized as an official waterway the Oste does not have much shipping traffic.
The river has its source nearTostedt at the border of theLüneburg Heath, flowing to the west passingSittensen andZeven, changing direction to north and passingBremervörde, where influence of the tides is starting,Hemmoor andNeuhaus.
