The Svitava () 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 long.
Etymology The river's name referred to its clear water and was derived from svítat, which meant '[be] clear' in Old Czech. The river is first documented in 1125 in Chronica Boemorum.
Characteristic
The Svitava originates in the territory of Svitavy in the Svitavy Uplands at an elevation of and flows to Brno, where it enters the Svratka River at an elevation of . It is long. Its drainage basin has an area of .
The longest tributaries of the Svitava are: 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 Vendolský potok 8.9 88.1 right Radiměřský potok 8.9 82.3 right
Course
The river valley is densely populated and there are many relatively notable settlements on the river. Apart from the city of Brno, the most significant towns on the river are Svitavy, named after the river, and Blansko. 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 , built on the Křetínka. 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.
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.
See also List of rivers of the Czech Republic
References
External links
River flow at Bílovice nad Svitavou station – Flood Warning and Forecasting Service of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute