Editing Weser (section)

==Course==
The Weser starts at the confluence of the Fulda and the Werra. It then runs down to the [[Porta Westfalica (gorge)|Porta Westfalica]] between two high hill ranges, the [[Wiehengebirge|⁣⁣Wiehengebirge⁣⁣]] in the west and the [[Weserbergland]] in the east.

Between [[Minden]] and the North Sea, humans have [[river engineering|largely canalised the river]] up to a limit of 1,200-ton ships. Eight hydroelectric dams stand at the ends of adjacent weir weirstreams that make up the river. The navigation is linked west to the [[Dortmund–Ems Canal]] via the [[Coastal Canal]]. It is linked east at [[Bremerhaven]] to the [[Elbe River|Elbe]].

A large reservoir, the [[Edersee]], on the [[Eder (Fulda)|Eder]], the main tributary of the Fulda, is used to allow enough water depth for shipping year-round. The dam, built in 1914, was [[Operation Chastise|bombed and severely damaged by British aircraft]] in May 1943, causing great destruction and about 70 deaths downstream. It was rebuilt within four months. The reservoir is a major summer resort area. Turbines driven by its [[hydroelectricity|sluices provide electricity]].
[[File:AlteWeser 1964.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Alte Weser Lighthouse]]]]
<gallery widths="180" heights="135">
Weserradweg b Oedelsheim.jpg|"Upper" Weser, in reality the central section between the upper courses Werra and Fulda, and the lowland section
Minden Weser-Mittelland Kanal Lock 01.jpg|[[Mittelland Canal]]/River Weser Lock in Minden taken in 1977
MI-16 River Weser (Minden) North (RLH).jpg|View north of the River Weser and the road bridge at Minden
River Weser (Minden) South To Porta West Falica (RLH).jpg|Southern view of the River Weser from the road bridge at Minden in 1977
</gallery>

The Weser enters the North Sea in the southernmost part of the [[German Bight]]. In the sea it splits into two arms &ndash;the riverbed at the end of the [[Quaternary glaciation|last ice age]]. These sea arms are called ''Alte Weser'' (old Weser) and ''Neue Weser'' (new Weser). They are the waterways for ships heading for the ports of [[Bremerhaven]], [[Nordenham]], and [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]]. The [[Alte Weser Lighthouse]] marks the northernmost point of the Weser. This replaced the [[Roter Sand Lighthouse]] in 1964.