Köhlbrand

Köhlbrand is an anabranch of the Unterelbe river in the Port of Hamburg, Germany. It has a width of approximately 325 m.

History
The branch emerged during floods in the 14th and 15th centuries, which separated the former Elbe island of Gorieswerder.

The Köhlbrand is bridged by the Köhlbrand Bridge, both probably named after charcoal burners (Köhler), whose fires (Brand) could be seen along the river banks and who sold coal to the boatmen. Until the 19th century dockyards were located at the banks of Köhlbrand. According to the third Köhlbrand treaty signed in 1908, the anabranch was relocated around 600 m to the west and deepened by 4 m to 8.4 m. Its former pathway is marked by the harbour basin of Kohlenschiffhafen, which is almost completely filled up with sand today.

Nowadays, the complete Süderelbe waterflow is redirected through the Köhlbrand, which is a main access to the Container Terminal Altenwerder.