Kamenice (Elbe)

Kamenice
The Kamenice in Hřensko
Map
Location
CountryCzech Republic
Regions
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationSvor, Lusatian Mountains
 • elevation576 m (1,890 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Elbe
 • coordinates
50°52′27″N 14°14′10″E / 50.87417°N 14.23611°E / 50.87417; 14.23611
 • elevation
119 m (390 ft)
Length37.7 km (23.4 mi)
Basin size217.2 km2 (83.9 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average2.7 m3/s (95 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionElbe→ North Sea

The Kamenice (German: Kamnitz) is a river in the Czech Republic, a right tributary of the Elbe River. It originates in the Liberec Region, but mostly flows through the Ústí nad Labem Region. It is 37.7 km (23.4 mi) long.

Etymology

Kamenice is a common Czech toponymy. The name is derived from the Czech word kamenný, i.e. 'stony'. The river was named after the character of the river bed.[1] The river is sometimes called Hřenská Kamenice to distinguish it from the eponymous rivers in the country.[2]

Characteristic

The Kamenice Gorge

The Kamenice originates in the territory of Svor in the Lusatian Mountains at an elevation of 576 m (1,890 ft) and flows to Hřensko, where it enters the Elbe River at an elevation of 119 m (390 ft). It is 37.7 km (23.4 mi) long.[3] Its drainage basin has an area of 217.2 km2 (83.9 sq mi). The average discharge at its mouth is 2.7 m3/s.[4]

The longest tributaries of the Kamenice are:[3]

Tributary Length (km) Side
Chřibská Kamenice 23.5 right
Olešnička 8.0 left
Bynovecký potok 7.8 left

Course

The river flows through the municipal territories of Svor, Kytlice, Prysk, Česká Kamenice, Janská, Srbská Kamenice, Jetřichovice, Růžová and Hřensko.

Fauna

Atlantic salmon, which were exterminated in the Czech Republic in the 1920s, have been reintroduced into the river. Efforts to restore it have been ongoing since 1998.[5]

Tourism

The Kamenice flows through the national park of Bohemian Switzerland. Among the best preserved and most valuable parts of the national park is the Kamenice Gorge. Punt rides are organized for tourists.[6] The gorge belongs to the most visited tourist destinations of the region and to the most visited natural tourist destinations in the entire Czech Republic.[7]

Due to the location in the national park, individual sailing on the river is prohibited.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Šmilauer, Vladimír. "O původu názvů českých řek". Naše řeč (in Czech). Institute of the Czech Language. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  2. ^ a b "Řeka hřenská Kamenice" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  3. ^ a b "Vodní toky". Evidence hlásných profilů (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  4. ^ "Evidenční list hlásného profilu č.250" (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  5. ^ "Soutěsky řeky Kamenice" (in Czech). České Švýcarsko o. p. s. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  6. ^ "Soutěsky Kamenice – Edmundova a Divoká soutěska v Českém Švýcarsku" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  7. ^ "Turisté mají v České republice nejraději zoologické zahrady, technické památky, koupání a Pražský hrad" (in Czech). CzechTourism. 2022-06-24. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
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