 Because of the deepening of the Elbe the average tidal hub of the lower reach rose to , because of the backlog when the sluice gates are closed the fluctuations of the upper reach only amounts to a few decimeters.Despite the embankment the banks of the lower reach are lined with exceptional rare fresh water mudflats.The Schwinge is a federal waterway from the Elbe to the "Salztorschleuse".