Somewhat to the northwest of the Nordhelle is the source of the Oester (Ebbebach), which passes the mountain to the north before collecting the Erlmecke - a tributary rising east of the summit where the mountain transitions to the Waldberg - near Emmeszaun (Herscheid). Roughly southwest of the Nordhelle in the transition area with the Großer Hahn rises the Ihne tributary of the Schmale Becke (Homberger Bach).