Köhm

Köhm is a small river of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It flows into the Niers near Erkelenz-Keyenberg. Its upper course no longer exists due to lignite mining (Garzweiler surface mine).

Course
The original source of the Köhm was in the area between Garzweiler and Kaiskorb. Here, at an altitude of 120 m above sea level, was the watershed between the Erft (Rhine) and the Rur/Niers (Meuse). From here, the Köhm flowed north past Alt-Otzenrath. The area between Garzweiler and Otzenrath is now in the excavated area of the open-cast mine.

Heading from Otzenrath, the Köhm runs in a west-east direction in a narrow valley at an altitude of 74 to 78 m above sea level through the village of Borschemich, then north of Keyenberg directly past the former knight's estate Haus Keyenberg to finally flow into the Niers.

It is only a flowing body of water after heavy rainfall and when the snow melts. Some of the water is fed in by drainage measures for the Garzweiler open-cast mine. From the entrance to Borschemich, the Köhm is canalized and only flows openly again from Marienstiftstraße next to the parish house. In the past, the Köhm in Borschemich fed the ditch system of Haus Paland; a part of the ditches is still preserved. In the past, water also flowed into the Köhm from the ditch system of Haus Keyenberg, which in turn was fed by springs.

'Köhm-Lied'
A traditional song exists about the Köhm river in the Borschemich dialect of German:  Kütt dr Sonndachnommedach wehs kehner us noch en löf dat Dres de Stros eraf flöck nom Onkel hin säht em dann jet in et Uer hei dat wütt jemaat hei dat jöff en Sondertour hei dat jöff en Fahrt Jo mir fahre med nem Böötche ob dr Kue´hm allemole un et Dres mit singem Ühem un dat Dres dat kritt dr zedder be demm janz glitter jo no Mod - jo no Mod - jo no Mod allemole op dem klene Paddelboot !