In Apen you can experience the only freshwater mudflat in the northwest at the Aper Tief. For flood protection reasons, a retention area for possible flooding was created in 2005 by relocating the southern dyke. The same arose not far away in Apen-Holtgast. Flora and fauns think so!
During a walk on the dyke at the fresh water wattage of the Aper Tiefs you can occasionally come across an interesting find. Hidden in the reeds are freshwater mussels that were washed up by the tidal range.
Snails and mussels are the only molluscs that are found not only in the sea but also in fresh water, i.e. in rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.
The interplay of ebb and flow is referred to as the tide.
Low tide is the falling of water from high tide to the following low tide. Flood is the rise of water from a low tide to the following high tide.
The height difference between high and low water is known as the tidal range. This fluctuates between about 60 to 120 cm at the Aper depth.
