Sázava (river)

Sázava (Czech pronunciation: [ˈsaːzava]) is a river in the Czech Republic, a right tributary of the Vltava River. It flows through the Vysočina and Central Bohemian regions. It is 225.9 km (140.4 mi) long, which makes it the 6th longest river in the Czech Republic.

Sázava
The Sázava in Zbořený Kostelec
The Sázava and its watershed
Location
CountryCzech Republic
Regions
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationCikháj, Upper Svratka Highlands
 • elevation757 m (2,484 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Vltava
 • coordinates
49°53′12″N 14°23′36″E
 • elevation
200 m (660 ft)
Length225.9 km (140.4 mi)
Basin size4,349.8 km2 (1,679.5 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average25.2 m3/s (890 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionVltava→ Elbe→ North Sea

Etymology

The first written mention of the river is from 1045, when it was called Zazoa in a Latin text. Other early spellings of the name were Zazaua and Sassava. There are several theories about the origin of the name. One of the more likely theories says that the name could be derived from the Proto-Slavic verb sadjati (modern Czech sázet, usazovat), meaning "to sediment", "to sink to the bottom". According to another theory, the name has its basis in the Celtic word sathá, which meant "grove, forest", as well as "swarming, flickering".[1][2]

Characteristic
The Sázava in Žďár nad Sázavou

The Sázava originates in Cikháj in the Upper Svratka Highlands at the elevation of 757 m (2,484 ft) and flows to Davle, where it enters the Vltava River at the elevation of 200 m (660 ft). It is 225.9 km (140.4 mi) long, which makes it the 6th longest river in the Czech Republic. Its drainage basin has an area of 4,349.8 km2 (1,679.5 sq mi).[3]

The longest tributaries of the Sázava are:

TributaryLength (km)River kmSide
Želivka103.998.8left
Blanice66.078.6left
Šlapanka39.0164.4left
Konopišťský potok33.031.3left
Sázavka32.2144.8right

Settlements
The Sázava in Kamenný Přívoz

The most notable settlements on the river are the towns of Žďár nad Sázavou and Havlíčkův Brod. The river meanders in a generally north-westwardly direction and flows past Polnička, Žďár nad Sázavou, Hamry nad Sázavou, Sázava (Žďár nad Sázavou District), Nové Dvory, Přibyslav, Pohled, Havlíčkův Brod, Okrouhlice, Pohleď, Světlá nad Sázavou, Trpišovice, Vilémovice, Ledeč nad Sázavou and Chřenovice.

After it crosses the border between the Vysočina and Central Bohemian regions, it flows past Vlastějovice, Horka II, Zruč nad Sázavou, Kácov, Tichonice, Soběšín, Český Šternberk, Rataje nad Sázavou, Ledečko, Samopše and Sázava (Benešov District). From here it flows generally westward, past Stříbrná Skalice, Chocerady, Hvězdonice, Senohraby, Čtyřkoly, Čerčany, Poříčí nad Sázavou, Nespeky, Týnec nad Sázavou, Krhanice, Kamenný Přívoz, reaching its confluence with the Vltava (at the latter's 78.3 km mark) at the boundary between Hradištko and Davle, about 10 km (6 mi) south of the municipal border of Prague.

Bodies of water

There are 6,661 bodies of water in the basin area; the largest of them is the Švihov Reservoir with an area of 1,603 ha (3,960 acres), built on the Želivka. The most notable body of water directly on the Sázava is the Velké Dářko fish pond with an area of 206 ha (510 acres).[3]

Fauna

The river is a biocentre and biocorridor for many animal species. Endangered species that live here include the common kingfisher, Eurasian otter, Amur bitterling, thick shelled river mussel, depressed river mussel and river orb mussel.[4]

Tourism
Stvořidla Nature Reserve

The Sázava is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the country and is among the most popular rivers for river tourism. The area around the river is associated with the Czech tramping movement. About 208 km (129 mi) of the river from Žďár nad Sázavou to the mouth is navigable.[4] The most popular section is Týnec nad Sázavou–Pikovice.[5] Between Světlá nad Sázavou and Ledeč nad Sázavou is the Stvořidla Nature Reserve with the most difficult rapids in the Czech Republic.[6]

References
  1. "Název řeky" (in Czech). Posázaví o.p.s. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  2. Svoboda, Jiří (2011-09-08). "O původu názvů českých řek" (in Czech). Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  3. "Základní charakteristiky toku Sázava a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  4. "Řeka Sázava" (in Czech). Posázaví o.p.s. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  5. "Z Týnce do Pikovic – Sázavská klasika" (in Czech). Pádler. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  6. "Sázava – užijte si nádhernou přírodu i peřeje Stvořidla" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
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