Helme

For other uses, see Helme (disambiguation).

Helme

File:Helme bei Katharinenrieth.JPG
Location	Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Length	65 km (40 mi)dep1
Source region	Eichsfeld
Mouth	Unstrut near Kalbsrieth
Basin	Elbe
Progression	Unstrut → Saale → Elbe → North Sea
Reservoirs passed	Kelbra Reservoir
Navigable	nein

The Helme is river in central Germany that is about 65 kilometres (40 mi) long and which forms a left-hand, western tributary of the Unstrut in the states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt.

Course

The river rises in Thuringia south of the Harz mountains in the district of Eichsfeld. Its source lies amongst the northern foothills of the Ohm Hills between Weißenborn-Lüderode and Stöckey by the Helmspring. The Helme flows eastwards through the municipalities of Hohenstein and Werther to Nordhausen. Near Heringen the river is joined by the waters of the Zorge from the Harz. Northwest of the Kyffhäuser hills it is impounded into a reservoir and a flood retention basin by the Kelbra Dam in the Goldene Aue. From there the Helme – now in the state of Saxony-Anhalt – continues eastwards flowing through Roßla towards Allstedt, where it then swings south and enters Thuringia again. Near Kalbsrieth, southeast of Artern, it discharges into the Unstrut.