Harbe Aist Entsprung

Black Aist
The Schwarze Aist collects several streams on its way, first northwards, then westwards and southwards, including the Harbe Aist, which has its source in the southern municipal area of Sandl.
The boggy character of the area surrounding the Schwarze Aist gives the river its typical brown colour.

In its upper reaches, the river is called the Schwarze Aist and flows in a south-easterly direction through wooded areas and small settlements. South of the market town of Weitersfelden, the Schwarze Aist joins the Weiße Aist, from this point onwards the main river is called the Waldaist. It flows together with its largest tributary, the Feldaist, in the village of Hohensteg. The name Aist is used for the approximately 15 km long stretch of the river from the confluence of the Feldaist and Waldaist to its confluence with the Danube.

Special animal species: Austria's first river pearl mussel breeding centre is located on the Aist. A large proportion of the local otter population can be found in the Mühlviertel. In the Aist below Schwertberg, there is a good population of the golden snapper, a very rare species of small fish. Fire salamanders feel particularly at home in the cool, damp climate of the ravine forests in the lower Feldaisttal.

Special plant species: moon violet, wide range of ferns and mosses (especially in the Feldaisttal landscape conservation area, which lies between Klausmühle and Kriehmühle).

Ecological status of the A ist: the ecological status of the Aist ranges from good to moderate. Elevated phosphorus levels in some sections, especially in the lower reaches.