The Polenz is the right-hand, smaller headstream of the Lachsbach in the German state of Saxony.

The Polenz rises from nine springs on the German-Czech border between the villages of Langburkersdorf and Nová Víska [cz] (Neudörfel).

The springs are located southwest of the 461 m high Roubený (Raupenberg) mainly on German territory and unite at a height of 363 m above sea level.

The upper reaches of the Polenz form the natural boundary between the forest land Hohwald [de] and the Saxon Switzerland.

The most important tributaries of the Polenz are the: Booth riverbanks are protected and included in the Europe wide Natura 2000 network.