Svitava
The Svitava in Brno
Location
CountryCzech Republic
Regions
Physical characteristics
Source 
  locationSvitavy, Svitavy Uplands
  elevation472 m (1,549 ft)
Mouth 
  location
Svratka
  coordinates
49°8′32″N 16°37′42″E / 49.14222°N 16.62833°E / 49.14222; 16.62833
  elevation
191 m (627 ft)
Length98.4 km (61.1 mi)
Basin size1,149.4 km2 (443.8 sq mi)
Discharge 
  average5.22 m3/s (184 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionSvratkaThayaMoravaDanubeBlack Sea

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.

Etymology

The 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

Confluence of the Svitava (right) and Svratka

The Svitava originates in the territory of Svitavy in the Svitavy Uplands at the elevation of 472 m (1,549 ft) and flows to Brno, where it enters the Svratka River at the 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:

TributaryLength (km)River kmSide
Křetínka31.466.4right
Punkva29.032.9left
Bělá21.349.5left

Settlements

Counfluence of the Svitava (right) and Křetínka in Letovice

The river valley is densely populated and there are relatively many notable settlements on the river.[4] 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

There 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

There are a large number of mills and hydroelectric power stations on the river.[5]

Tourism

The 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.[5]

See also

References

  1. "Svitavy: městu dala jméno průzračná řeka" (in Czech). Czech Radio. 2014-09-17. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  2. 1 2 "Historie" (in Czech). Město Svitavy. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  3. 1 2 "Základní charakteristiky toku Svitava a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  4. "Řeka Svitava" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  5. 1 2 "Svitava – řeka plná jezů" (in Czech). Pádler. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
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