The Czech Republic is interwoven with a network of rivers. In total, the country has more than eight dozen water flows. Many of them are of economic importance to the population, while others represent a place of cultural recreation or are historical sites. The largest river in the Czech Republic is the Vltava. And the Elba River connects two countries, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Vltava River
The Czech Republic Vltava River originates in the south of the country, in the Šumava Mountains. There, nearby, is the town of Cesky Krumlov. But if there it is a very small river, then in Prague there is a large and wide river that divides the city in half.
It is the duty of every Czech to go down the river at a raft or even a canoe at least once in his life. This route is loved by tourists coming to the Czech Republic to enjoy the sights. Indeed, the river offers magnificent views of both banks.
Despite the fact that the river spreads quite extensively in the city, it does not cause any inconvenience to the residents in moving. After all, the coast is connected by bridges, of which there are a lot, so transport and pedestrian problems are completely resolved.
However, Vlatva has a very absurd character, which the inhabitants of the country managed to study very well. More than once, the waters of the whirling river flooded the embankment, Streletsky island and Kampa island.
In order to somehow stop the flow of water during the flood period, rapids were built on the river in Prague itself. And on the section from Prague to Melnik, where it flows into the Elbe, there are a dozen locks.
It is the Vltava that is considered the longest river in the Czech Republic. Its length is more than 440 km.
Elba River
One of the main rivers in Central Europe. The source of the Elbe River is located in the Czech Republic, and then for the most part it flows through Germany and flows into the North Sea. The water stream has a length of more than 1100 km.
On the border of Poland and the Czech Republic, from the confluence of many streams, the beautiful Labe (Czech) was formed. Further, turning to the southeast, the Elbe receives the Aupa tributary and the Metav tributary. From there it turns south to Pardubice, and then west to Cologne.
Near Hamburg, the Elbe receives the tributaries of Bille and Alster, and then the river is divided into 2 parts, but then again merges already downstream. Near Cuxhaven, the Elbe ends, flowing into the North Sea.
The river is fed by snow and rain. The water level in the Elbe becomes maximum in spring and minimum in summer.
Since the type of river is flat, there are no hydroelectric power stations on the river, especially since Germany is against such buildings so as not to worsen the already bad river ecology. Now the authorities of both countries are implementing a special program for water purification. In some areas, even swimming is already allowed.
Very developed shipping on the Elbe. Hamburg's port is one of the largest in the world.
Cities such as Spindleruv Mlyn, Jaromerzh, Pardubice, Podebrady, Melnik, Lovosice, Decin, etc. are located on the Elbe in the Czech Republic.
Ostravice River
This is a river in the Czech Republic with a length of only 65 km. It flows in the eastern part of the country, in the Moravian-Silesian Region. She divides the city of Ostrava into 2 parts, merging with another river, Odra, in the urban area of Koblov.
For the third largest city in the country, the river is of great importance, since in its upper reaches there is a reservoir with drinking water for citizens. In addition, it is considered the main decoration of the city, and recreation places are located along it. These are parks, restaurants and pedestrian areas.
Other rivers in the Czech Republic
Berounka is the main tributary of the Vltava River. The river flows in the west of the country, and its length is almost 140 km. Along the coast of Berounka there are 5 Czech cities:
- Chernoszyce;
- Pilsen
- Rzhevnitsa;
- Beroun;
- Dobřichovice.
Ohře (another name for the river - Eger) has a length of almost 300 km. The source of the river is in Germany, in the Fichtelgebirge mountains. Then it flows to Litomerzhets, and from there it flows into the Elbe not far from Prague.
Morava in the list of Czech rivers occupies a leading position in importance. Named so thanks to the region of Moravia. Also crosses the borders of Austria and Slovakia. Morava is the left tributary of the Danube River.
Odra - a kind of border created by nature itself, with Germany and Poland. It begins in the Sudeten Mountains, from where it flows further to the borders and flows into the Gulf of Szczecin. The length of the water channel is 903 km.
Also in the Czech Republic rivers flow:
- Rainbow;
- Luzhnitsa;
- Becva;
- Opava;
- Aftermath;
- Orlice;
- Heading;
- Upa, etc.
However, if we still talk about which river in the Czech Republic is the most important, then we will stop at 3 rivers: these are Elba, Odra and Vltava.