Želivka

Želivka
The Želivka near the estuary
Map
Location
CountryCzech Republic
Regions
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMezná, Křemešník Highlands
 • elevation677 m (2,221 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Sázava
 • coordinates
49°44′27″N 15°3′27″E / 49.74083°N 15.05750°E / 49.74083; 15.05750
 • elevation
318 m (1,043 ft)
Length103.9 km (64.6 mi)
Basin size1,188.4 km2 (458.8 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average3.91 m3/s (138 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionSázavaVltavaElbeNorth Sea

The Želivka (on the upper course called Hejlovka) is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Sázava River. It flows through the Vysočina and South Bohemian regions. It is 103.9 km (64.6 mi) long, making it the 20th longest river in the Czech Republic.

Etymology

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The river is named after the monastery and the settlement of Želiv.[1]

Characteristic

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Confluence of the Želivka and Trnava

The Želivka originates in the territory of Mezná in the Křemešník Highlands at an elevation of 677 m (2,221 ft) and flows to Soutice, where it enters the Sázava River at an elevation of 318 m (1,043 ft). Above the Sedlice Reservoir it bears the name Hejlovka. It is 103.9 km (64.6 mi) long, which makes it the 20th longest river in the Czech Republic. Its drainage basin has an area of 1,188.4 km2 (458.8 sq mi).[2]

The longest tributaries of the Želivka are:[3]

Tributary Length (km) River km Side
Trnava 56.3 52.0 left
Martinický potok 38.7 36.7 left
Bělá 25.1 72.9 right
Sedlický potok 23.6 7.3 left
Jankovský potok 22.8 64.4 right
Cerekvický potok 16.9 89.4 left
Blažejovický potok 14.1 29.1 right

Settlements

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Vřesník Reservoir

Despite its length, there are no large settlements on the Želivka. The most notable settlement on the river is Želiv, therefore its name. The river also flows along the border of Pelhřimov. The river flows past the following municipalities (including the shore of the Švihov Reservoir): Mezná, Božejov, Ústrašín, Ondřejov, Dubovice, Pelhřimov, Malý Beranov, Krasíkovice, Kojčice, Svépravice, Sedlice, Želiv, Koberovice, Vojslavice, Píšť, Ježov, Kožlí, Hněvkovice, Bernartice, Hulice, Zruč nad Sázavou and Soutice.

Bodies of water

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There are 136 bodies of water larger than 1 ha in the basin area.[2] The largest of them is the Švihov Reservoir with an area of 1,602 ha (3,960 acres). Other reservoirs built on the river are Sedlice and Vřesník.

Economy

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The Švihov Reservoir provides drinking water supply for most of the Central Bohemian Region and the city of Prague. The Sedlice Reservoir, as well as the Trnávka and Němčice reservoirs on the tributaries of the Želivka, were built to capture alluvium and sediments before these watercourses reach the Švihov Reservoir.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Šmilauer, Vladimír. "O původu názvů českých řek". Naše řeč (in Czech). Institute of the Czech Language. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  2. ^ a b "Základní charakteristiky toku Želivka a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  3. ^ "Vodní toky". Evidence hlásných profilů (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  4. ^ "VD Želivka – Švihov" (PDF) (in Czech). Povodí Vltavy. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
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