| Sázava | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Sázava inZbořený Kostelec | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Czech Republic |
| Regions | |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Cikháj,Upper Svratka Highlands |
| • coordinates | 49°40′18″N15°56′8″E / 49.67167°N 15.93556°E /49.67167; 15.93556 |
| • elevation | 757 m (2,484 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Vltava |
• coordinates | 49°53′12″N14°23′36″E / 49.88667°N 14.39333°E /49.88667; 14.39333 |
• elevation | 200 m (660 ft) |
| Length | 225.9 km (140.4 mi) |
| Basin size | 4,349.8 km2 (1,679.5 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 25.2 m3/s (890 cu ft/s) near estuary |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Vltava→Elbe→North Sea |
TheSázava (Czech pronunciation:[ˈsaːzava]) is ariver in theCzech Republic, a righttributary of theVltava River. It flows through theVysočina andCentral Bohemian regions. It is 225.9 km (140.4 mi) long, making it the6th longest river in the Czech Republic.
The first written mention of the river is from 1045, when it was calledZazoa in a Latin text. Other early spellings of the name wereZazaua andSassava. There are several theories about the origin of the name. One of the more likely theories says that the name could be derived from theProto-Slavic verbsadjati (modern Czechsázet, usazovat), meaning "to sediment", "to sink to the bottom". According to another theory, the name has its basis in the Celtic wordsathá, which meant "grove, forest", as well as "swarming, flickering".[1][2]
The Sázava originates inCikháj in theUpper Svratka Highlands at an elevation of 757 m (2,484 ft) and flows toDavle, where it enters the Vltava River at an elevation of 200 m (660 ft). It is 225.9 km (140.4 mi) long, making it the6th longest river in the Czech Republic. Itsdrainage basin has an area of 4,349.8 km2 (1,679.5 sq mi).[3]
The longest tributaries of the Sázava are:[4]
| Tributary | Length (km) | River km | Side |
|---|---|---|---|
| Želivka | 103.9 | 98.8 | left |
| Blanice | 66.0 | 78.6 | left |
| Šlapanka | 39.0 | 164.4 | left |
| Konopišťský potok | 33.0 | 31.3 | left |
| Sázavka | 32.2 | 144.8 | right |
| Janovický potok | 28.1 | 19.2 | left |
| Perlový potok | 23.1 | 153.3 | left |
| Jevanský potok | 20.9 | 48.7 | right |
| Úsobský potok | 20.7 | 156.9 | left |
| Pstružný potok | 18.8 | 141.1 | left |
| Štěpánovský potok | 18.7 | 95.9 | left |
| Břevnický potok | 18.5 | 166.6 | right |
| Křešický potok | 18.2 | 72.0 | left |
The most notable settlements on the river are the towns ofŽďár nad Sázavou andHavlíčkův Brod. The river meanders in a generally north-westerly direction and flows pastPolnička, 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 andChřenovice.
After it crosses the border between the Vysočina and Central Bohemian regions, it flows pastVlastějovice,Horka II,Zruč nad Sázavou,Kácov,Tichonice,Soběšín,Český Šternberk,Rataje nad Sázavou,Ledečko,Samopše andSázava (Benešov District). From here it flows generally westward, pastStříbrná 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 betweenHradištko andDavle, about 10 km (6 mi) south of the municipal border ofPrague.
There are 6,661 bodies of water in the basin area; the largest of them is theŠvihov 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 theVelké Dářko fish pond with an area of 206 ha (510 acres).[3]
The river is a biocentre and biocorridor for many animal species. Endangered species that live here include thecommon kingfisher,Eurasian otter,Amur bitterling,thick shelled river mussel,depressed river mussel andriver orb mussel.[5]
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The Sázava is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the country and is among the most popular rivers forriver tourism. The area around the river is associated with theCzech tramping movement. About 208 km (129 mi) of the river from Žďár nad Sázavou to the mouth is navigable.[5] The most popular section isTýnec nad Sázavou–Pikovice.[6] BetweenSvětlá nad Sázavou andLedeč nad Sázavou is the Stvořidla Nature Reserve with the most difficult rapids in the Czech Republic.[7]
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| Other | |
