Landscape characteristics of the Kottweiler-Schwanden

The predominant part of the rock layer in the Kottweiler-Schwanden district is the „Lower Buntsandstein“. It formed in the Triassic, about 250-200 million years ago. Scenically the district Kottweiler-Schwanden is assigned to the „Nordpfälzer Bergland“. Geologically, however, the district belongs almost entirely to the history of origins of the Sickinger Höhe and the Palatinate Forest (Pfälzer Wald).
Only the northwest corner of the district in the direction of Fockenberg-Limbach is a foothill of the North Palatinate Mountains and is characterized by the occurrence of volcanic rock (melaphyr rock). From the 18th century onwards, mercury, copper ore and other minerals were mined in these areas. The ore mines in the „Inzenbach“ area are contemporary witnesses.
Prospecting for copper ore was abandoned only in the middle of the First World War due to unproductiveness. The importance of the „Lower Buntsandstein“ for Kottweiler-Schwanden does not consist in its utilization as material but in its quality as water collector. With its many streams, it is the reason for the abundance of water in the community and many field names refer to this water resource.
The large supply of spring water made it possible to supply the neighboring communities of Steinwenden, Miesenbach and Mackenbach with drinking water for 100 years from 1904. Since 2009, Kottweiler-Schwanden has been connected to the water supply by the Ramstein-Miesenbach public utility company and some of the wells have become their property.