The Svitava (German: Zwittawa) is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Svratka River. It flows through the Pardubice and South Moravian regions. It is 98.4 km (61.1 mi) long.
| Svitava | |
|---|---|
 The Svitava in Brno | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Regions | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Svitavy, Svitavy Uplands |
| • elevation | 472 m (1,549 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Svratka |
• coordinates | 49°8′32″N 16°37′42″E / 49.14222°N 16.62833°E |
• elevation | 191 m (627 ft) |
| Length | 98.4 km (61.1 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,149.4 km2 (443.8 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 5.22 m3/s (184 cu ft/s) near estuary |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Svratka→ Thaya→ Morava→ Danube→ Black Sea |
Etymology
editThe river's name referred to its clear water and was derived from svítat, which meant "[be] clear" in Old Czech.[1] The river is first documented in 1125 in Chronica Boemorum.[2]
Characteristic
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The Svitava originates in the territory of Svitavy in the Svitavy Uplands at an elevation of 472 m (1,549 ft) and flows to Brno, where it enters the Svratka River at an elevation of 191 m (627 ft). It is 98.4 km (61.1 mi) long. Its drainage basin has an area of 1,149.4 km2 (443.8 sq mi).[3]
The longest tributaries of the Svitava are:[4]
| Tributary | Length (km) | River km | Side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Křetínka | 31.4 | 66.4 | right |
| Punkva | 26.4 | 32.9 | left |
| Bělá | 21.4 | 49.5 | left |
| Semíč | 17.9 | 55.2 | left |
| Býkovka | 16.1 | 40.6 | right |
| Úmoří | 16.0 | 51.2 | right |
| Křtinský potok | 15.5 | 24.7 | left |
Settlements
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The river valley is densely populated and there are many relatively notable settlements on the river.[5] Apart from the city of Brno, the most significant towns on the river are Blansko and Svitavy, named after the river.[2] The river flows through the municipal territories of Svitavy, Hradec nad Svitavou, Banín, Březová nad Svitavou, Brněnec, Rozhraní, Stvolová, Skrchov, Letovice, Svitávka, Boskovice, Skalice nad Svitavou, Lhota Rapotina, Doubravice nad Svitavou, Rájec-Jestřebí, Ráječko, Blansko, Olomučany, Adamov, Bílovice nad Svitavou and Brno.
Bodies of water
editThere are 583 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them is the Letovice Reservoir with an area of 98 ha (240 acres), built on the Křetínka.[3] Two fishponds are built on the upper course of the Svitava.
Use
editThere are a large number of mills and hydroelectric power stations on the river.[6]
Tourism
editThe Svitava is suitable for river tourism. The river is navigable all year round, but there are many weirs on it. The most popular section for paddlers is between Letovice and Blansko.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Svitavy: městu dala jméno průzračná řeka" (in Czech). Czech Radio. 2014-09-17. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
- ^ a b "Historie" (in Czech). Město Svitavy. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ a b "Základní charakteristiky toku Svitava a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ "Vodní toky". Evidence hlásných profilů (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
- ^ "Řeka Svitava" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
- ^ a b "Svitava – řeka plná jezů" (in Czech). Pádler. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
External links
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- River flow at Bílovice nad Svitavou station – Flood Warning and Forecasting Service of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute