Bachschwinden Brilon

The limestone massif of the Brilon plateau is criss-crossed by many fissures. The precipitation seeps into them and then runs off underground. As a result, only a few slightly sunken valleys have developed, which are almost always dry. There are no permanently flowing waters. This is because as soon as the streams from the surrounding mountains reach the Brilon plateau, they suddenly disappear.
The swales or Bachschwinden Brilons, some of which have sunk 10 m into the plateau, can be precisely located almost everywhere. The sinking streams have formed valley heads at the swallow holes, which often take the form of upstream open amphitheaters. During heavy rainfall or snowmelt, they are sometimes unable to contain the water and damming occurs. Small lakes then form for a short time.