Luch (landform)

The term Luch (plural: "Luche") is German and refers to an area of originally expansive, marshy or boggy lowland in northeast Germany, especially in the state of Brandenburg. "Luche" are found mainly in Young Drift regions; but they also occur on Old Drift landscapes. According to Leser the term should not be translated.
Location and history.
"Luche" mainly formed in the main urstromtal valleys or their side valleys. After the end of the Ice Age, the water table rose during the postglacial period resulting in the formation of bogs. The peat thickness is not particularly great; in most cases it is less than 2 metres thick. Before the installation of artificial drainage networks excess water often accumulated in the "Luche" in ponds. In contrast with lowlands with natural watercourses, they were give a different name from the neighbouring "Bruche" (carrs), such as the Oderbruch to the east and the Hohennauen Bruch on the Havel to the west.
Most of the "Luche" in Brandenburg have since been drained by man and have become cultural landscapes. After land improvement, they were commonly used as grassland. Archaeologists like Klaus Goldmann believe that some of this reclamation began during the Slavic period, but that this was reversed by a worsening of the drainage conditions as a result of the construction of mill dams on the Havel.
There are many "Luche" in Brandenburg; the largest are however beyond its state borders. Even several placenames are derived from the term "Luch". Examples are Luckenwalde and Doberlug.
If the generic term "Luch" is used, it usually refers to the regions of the Havelland Luch or Rhinluch.
Examples.
– Most of these "Luche" are parts of larger "Luche" as shown in the list –