RUHR  , a

river of Germany, an important right-bank tributary of the lower Rhine . It rises on the north side of the Winter-berg in the Sauerland, at a height of about 2000 ft. above the sea . It first takes a northerly and north-westerly course, and in a deep and well-wooded valley winds past the romanticallysituated town of Arnsberg . Shortly after reaching Neheim it bends to the south-west, courses through the mining district around Hagen, and receives from the left the waters of the Lenne . Hence in a tortuous course it works its way past Witten, Steele, Kettwig and Mulheim, and, after a course of 142 In., discharges itself into the Rhine at Ruhrort . From this place the Ruhr canal connects it with Duisburg . The river is navigable from Witten downwards (43 m.), by the aid of eleven locks; but navigation is often greatly impeded through dearth of water .