| | |
| 1976 | declared a NAtural Monument. |
| 1995 | became part of the protected Natural Park Fränkische Schweiz. |
| 1997 | renovation of the rimstone pools. |
Since the end of the last Ice Age, which means since about 10,000 years,
travertine or tufa was deposited by the limestone rich water below the spring of
the Lillach river.
The brook has some downgrade, so the deposition has the form of rimstone pools,
as limestone is always deposited on the rims.
Today there are numerous pools along the brook.
The pools are located in valley near Weißenohe, with no access
restrictions at all.
Unfortunately the got damaged by an increasing number of visitors, as they
became more and more known during the last years.
The visitors produced wild trails, and combined with natural mocemnts of the
riverbed, the pools were in danger to fall dry.
This would have started limestone deposition at another place, but it also have
meant destruction of the existing rims.
The soft and porous tufa is destroyed rather fast by frost and erosion, as soon
as it is not part of the river any more.
To protect the current situation, the bed of the Lillach was restored, the
shores strengthened and a good path built for the visitors.
So it is now possible to visit the Lillach without destroying it
There was also created an educational trail with plates explaining the uniqeness
of this valley.
Tufa Deposits
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