Blanice (Sázava)

Not to be confused with Blanice (Otava).

Blanice
The Blanice near Louňovice pod Blaníkem
Location
Country	Czech Republic
Regions	South Bohemian Central Bohemian
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Rodná, Křemešník Highlands
• elevation	673 m (2,208 ft)
Mouth
• location	Sázava
• coordinates	49°47′50″N 14°56′43″E
• elevation	303 m (994 ft)
Length	66.0 km (41.0 mi)
Basin size	543.3 km^2 (209.8 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	2.19 m^3/s (77 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
Progression	Sázava→ Vltava→ Elbe→ North Sea

The Blanice (German: Blanitz) is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Sázava River. It flows through the South Bohemian and Central Bohemian regions. It is 66.0 km (41.0 mi) long.

Etymology

The name is derived from the old Czech word blan, which meant 'meadow'. The name referred to the character of the territory through which it flows.[1] The river is sometimes called Vlašimská Blanice to distinguish it from the eponymous tributary of the Otava.

Characteristic

Confluence of the Blanice (left) and Sázava

The Blanice originates in the territory of Rodná in the Křemešník Highlands at an elevation of 673 m (2,208 ft) and flows to Soběšín, where it enters the Sázava River at an elevation of 303 m (994 ft). It is 66.0 km (41.0 mi) long. Its drainage basin has an area of 543.3 km^2 (209.8 sq mi).[2]

The longest tributaries of the Blanice are:[3]

Tributary	Length (km)	River km	Side
Chotýšanka	37.1	7.9	left
Slupský potok	15.5	47.6	left
Novoveský potok	12.4	53.3	left
Brodec	10.1	30.6	right

Settlements

The most notable settlement on the river is the town of Vlašim. The river flows through the municipal territories of Rodná, Pohnání, Dolní Hrachovice, Mladá Vožice, Běleč, Šebířov, Kamberk, Zvěstov, Louňovice pod Blaníkem, Ostrov, Kondrac, Hradiště, Vlašim, Ctiboř, Tehov, Libež, Všechlapy, Divišov, Český Šternberk and Soběšín.

Bodies of water

Kamberský (Zlatohorský) pond on the Blanice

There are 934 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them is the fishpond Smikov with an area of 23.2 ha (57 acres), built on the Chotýšanka.[2] There are four fishponds built directly on the Blanice.

Nature

The most common fish in the river are common chub, common roach and gudgeon. Rare is the occurrence of European eel.[4]

The riverbed in the section between Mladá Vožice and Kamberk is protected as Vlašimská Blanice Nature Monument with an area of 30.4 ha (75 acres). The Blanice then flows through the Blaník Protected Landscape Area. The wider area, which includes both sections in protected areas, is also protected as Vlašimská Blanice Special Area of Conservation. The reason for protection is the occurrence of rare and endangered species, especially thick shelled river mussel, brook lamprey, hermit beetle and Eurasian otter.[4][5]

Tourism

The Blanice is suitable for river tourism during spring, when the river level is higher. About 42 km (26 mi) of the river is navigable.[6]

See also

• List of rivers of the Czech Republic

References

1. Šmilauer, Vladimír. "O původu názvů českých řek". Naše řeč (in Czech). Institute of the Czech Language. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
2. "Základní charakteristiky toku Blanice a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
3. "Vodní toky". Evidence hlásných profilů (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
4. "Vlašimská Blanice". SouthLife (in Czech). Retrieved 2023-11-15.
5. "Vlašimská Blanice" (in Czech). Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
6. "Blanice Vlašimská: vodácký průvodce a kilometráž" (in Czech). Horydoly.cz. Retrieved 2023-11-15.

External links

• River flow at Radonice I station – Flood Warning and Forecasting Service of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute