The Warnow River flows after 149 km into the Baltic Sea. The catchment area, which is partially very marshy, extends over 3224 km² and is predominantly used for agriculture.
In the upper course, the river is strongly influenced by two eutrophic flushed lakes, the very shallow Lake Barniner See and the river-like Lake Mickowsee.

Further downstream, the river is characterized by shallow, meandering river stretches as well as by canalised river parts. Well illuminated river sections alternate with dense wooded river stretches.
In the middle course the Warnow R. is joined by some tributaries that drain large chains of connected lakes. After passing a fast-flowing, shallow gorge the Warnow River receives the Rivers Nebel and Temse.

In the lower course, the river is much deeper and has a lake-like structure, where the flow velocity is reduced below 0.1 m s-1. These low flows result from the low slope of 0.1 to 0.05 promille and from the damming up of water by the Mühlendamm weir at Rostock. This weir was built to protect the upper Warnow River as a drinking water source for the town Rostock. Therefore, water retention time is prolonged in the last 36 km. The river banks of the lower course are densely wooded, mainly with Alnus glutinosa.

Some more impressions of the Warnow River you'll find here (117 kb).