The Birs Weir

Until 1624, the St. Albanteich near St. Jakob was diverted from a tributary of the Birs. When it ran dry in 1624, the Teich Corporation decided to build a new weir in the Rütihard near Münchenstein. This resulted in the St. Albanteich being almost twice as long as before.
The “water house”, the housing of the servant responsible for the Teich, was built next to the weir. The water house was demolished in 1844, but the present housing estate is named after it.
Today, the St. Albanteich begins its course at the Birs weir in Neue Welt. Half of the Birs weir lies in the territory of the municipality of Münchenstein, and the other half in that of Muttenz. The old sluice house is located right next to the weir.