| Lužnice | |
|---|---|
 The Lužnice nearBechyně | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Countries | |
| Regions/ States | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Bad Großpertholz,Gratzen Mountains |
| • elevation | 970 m (3,180 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Vltava |
• coordinates | 49°13′51″N14°23′23″E / 49.23083°N 14.38972°E /49.23083; 14.38972 |
• elevation | 352 m (1,155 ft) |
| Length | 197.9 km (123.0 mi) |
| Basin size | 4,234.7 km2 (1,635.0 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 24.3 m3/s (860 cu ft/s) near estuary |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Vltava→Elbe→North Sea |
TheLužnice (Czech pronunciation:[ˈluʒɲɪtsɛ]ⓘ;German:Lainsitz) is ariver in theCzech Republic andAustria, a righttributary of theVltava River. It flows throughLower Austria and theSouth Bohemian Region. It is 197.9 km (123.0 mi) long, of which 157.7 km (98.0 mi) is in the Czech Republic, making it the11th longest river in the Czech Republic.
The name of the river is derived from the Czech wordluh (i.e. 'riparian forest'), meaning "the river that flows through riparian forests". The first written mention of the river is from 1179.[1][2]
The Lužnice originates in the territory ofBad Großpertholz in theGratzen Mountains at an elevation of 970 m (3,180 ft) and flows toHosty, where it enters the Vltava River at an elevation of 352 m (1,155 ft). It is 197.9 km (123.0 mi) long,[3] of which 157.7 km (98.0 mi) is in the Czech Republic. About 2.2 km (1.4 mi) of the river forms the Austrian-Czech border. Itsdrainage basin has an area of 4,234.7 km2 (1,635.0 sq mi), of which 3,256.4 km2 (1,257.3 sq mi) is in the Czech Republic.[4]
The longest tributaries of the Lužnice are:[5]
| Tributary | Length (km) | River km | Side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nežárka | 56.0 | 74.5 | right |
| Dračice / Reißbach | 51.0 | 123.0 | right |
| Smutná | 47.8 | 10.7 | right |
| Koštěnický potok | 43.3 | 115.6 | right |
| Braunaubach / Skřemelice | 42.0 | 157.0 | right |
| Černovický potok | 40.3 | 64.2 | right |
| Dírenský potok | 35.3 | 66.7 | right |
| Chotovinský potok | 33.6 | 43.8 | right |
| Miletínský potok | 26.5 | 85.4 | left |
| Bilinský potok | 25.9 | 5.0 | right |
| Košínský potok | 23.5 | 39.3 | right |
| Bechyňský potok | 20.8 | 73.9 | left |
| Židova strouha | 20.1 | 9.1 | left |
The most notable settlement on the river is the town ofTábor. The river originates in the territory ofBad Großpertholz (Austria), then it crosses the Austrian-Czech border and flows throughPohorská Ves, then it returns to Austria and flows throughSankt Martin,Weitra andUnserfrau-Altweitra before it creates the Austrian-Czech border between the territories ofGmünd andČeské Velenice.
After that, the river definitely turns north into the Czech Republic and flows past the towns ofSuchdol nad Lužnicí,Třeboň,Veselí nad Lužnicí,Soběslav,Planá nad Lužnicí,Sezimovo Ústí, Tábor (where the river turns back to the southwest),Bechyně andTýn nad Vltavou.
The Lužnice flows through theTřeboň Basin, which is known forits fishponds. There are 6,408 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them is the largest fishpond in the world,Rožmberk Pond with an area of 489 ha (1,210 acres), which is located directly on the Lužnice. A small water reservoir, Kořensko, is built in the area of the confluence of the Lužnice and Vltava.[4] In the area of the Třeboň Basin, the river meanders significantly and beside the fishponds, the area around the river in this area is rich in smalloxbow lakes.[6]
A long section of the river forms the axis of the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area. Within this area, thenature reserve of Horní Lužnice is delimited in the immediate vicinity of a 16-km long stretch of the river. It has an area of 395.1 ha (976 acres). The subject of protection is the river and itsfloodplain with various types ofwetland and meadow species. It is one of the last extensive locations in Central Europe of this type. The territory is important mainly for the integrity of thehydrological regime and for many rare, endangered or otherwise important wetland species.[6][7]
The riverbed in the section betweenVeselí nad Lužnicí (where Třeboňsko PLA ends) to the mouth of the river is protected as Lužnice Nature Monument with an area of 432.2 ha (1,068 acres). The reason for protection is the occurrence of rare and endangered species, especiallythick shelled river mussel,weatherfish andEurasian otter.[8]
The most common fish in the river iscommon chub. Other numerous fish includecommon roach,common bleak,gudgeon and in fast-flowing sectionscommon barbel. Rare is the occurrence ofburbot.[9]
The Lužnice is spanned by the rareStádlec Suspension Bridge, which connectsStádlec with the village of Dobřejice (a part ofMalšice). The bridge is protected as anational cultural monument.[10]
AtBechyně, the river is spanned by theBechyně Bridge, a unique reinforced concrete arch bridge. For its value, it is also protected as a national cultural monument.[11]
At the village of Stará Hlína (part ofTřeboň), the river is spanned by a stoneinundation bridge. It is a valuable twelve-arch bridge from 1799, protected as a cultural monument.[12]
The Lužnice is among the most popular rivers forriver tourism in the country. It it suitable for beginner paddlers. Both the upper course and the lower course are navigable.[13][14]
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