However, unusually, its right tributary, the Nagold, which discharges into the Enz in Pforzheim on emerging from the Black Forest, is longer - in fact almost twice as long as its own headstream to that point.

The Great Enz has two headstreams, both approximately 5 kilometres long: the Poppelbach and the Kaltenbach, which unite at Gompelscheuer.

The valleys of the Enz, Rombach and other western tributaries of the upper reaches are characterised by glacial cirques from the last ice age.

After emerging from the Black Forest, the Enz flows down to its mouth in the Neckar Gäu country in the muschelkalk beds of the South German Scarplands.

[5] The lower reaches of the Enz, with their typical water meadow shore structures, are an ideal habitat for many riparian plant and animal species.

In the shallow waters up to 10,000 larvae - of mayflies, caddis flies, dragonflies, beetles, snails and mussels - have been counted.

Some rare and endangered species live all year round on the Enz, which is an important resting stop for many migratory birds.

Other guests and residents of the coppiced willows and the trees lining the banks of the river are white wagtail, Icterine warbler, spotted flycatcher, nightingale and golden oriole.

In the muschelkalk area of the river, agriculture has a certain significance, and viticulture is practised on steep, terraced vineyards of the Enz valley.

Industry and service are concentrated in Pforzheim (jewellery, precious metals, watches, commercial and administration), but can also be found in smaller centres in the catchment area of Stuttgart (especially Bietigheim-Bissingen).

(the early La Tène period) iron ore mining has been carried out in the Enz region.