Kleiner Laufen bei Laufenburg, Waterfall between Laufenburg, Switzerland and Laufenburg, Germany.
Kleiner Laufen bei Laufenburg is a waterfall on the Rhine created where the riverbed narrows to about 13 meters wide between Switzerland and Germany. Steep rock formations line this section and create a visible natural barrier that visitors can observe from both sides of the river.
The area originally served as a natural fish passage where Atlantic salmon swam upstream annually during their migration. In the early 20th century, explosives were used to modify the structure to improve river navigation and allow hydroelectric power stations to be built.
The site has long drawn artists and painters who were fascinated by its dramatic rock formations and the power of flowing water. The location's visual qualities attracted creators from different periods seeking to capture the natural forces at work in their works.
Visitors can reach the waterfall by walking paths that line the Rhine riverbank and offer access from both the Swiss and German sides of the river. The clearest view of the falls is best achieved early in the day when there are fewer visitors and the light conditions are more favorable.
Before the explosives work of the early 20th century, the location was home to a thriving salmon fishing industry because the waterfall structure created a natural passage for migrating Atlantic salmon. After the modification, this fish species disappeared from this river section, showing how profoundly engineering changes can alter natural ecosystems.
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