Střela

For the river in Poland and Hradec Králové Region, see Klikawa (river).
Střela
The Střela in Žlutice
Map
Location
CountryCzech Republic
Regions
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationToužim, Teplá Highlands
 • elevation674 m (2,211 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Berounka
 • coordinates
49°54′52″N 13°31′47″E / 49.91444°N 13.52972°E / 49.91444; 13.52972
 • elevation
269 m (883 ft)
Length101.6 km (63.1 mi)
Basin size921.9 km2 (355.9 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average3.20 m3/s (113 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionBerounka→ Vltava→ Elbe→ North Sea

The Střela is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Berounka River. It flows through the Karlovy Vary and Central Bohemian regions. It is 101.6 km (63.1 mi) long, making it the 22nd longest river in the Czech Republic.

Etymology

The name literally means 'missile' and refers to its fast stream.[1] The river was also once called Lososnice (derived from losos, i.e. 'salmon').[2]

Characteristic

Confluence with the Berounka

The Střela originates in the territory of Toužim in the Teplá Highlands at an elevation of 674 m (2,211 ft) and flows to Liblín, where it enters the Berounka River at an elevation of 269 m (883 ft). It is 101.6 km (63.1 mi) long, making it the 22nd longest river in the Czech Republic. Its drainage basin has an area of 921.9 km2 (355.9 sq mi).[3]

The tributaries of the Střela do not include any significant rivers, only smaller streams. The longest tributaries of the Střela are:[4]

Tributary Length (km) River km Side
Manětínský potok 22.5 29.6 right
Kralovický potok 21.8 1.2 left
Velká Trasovka 20.7 59.4 left
Ratibořský potok 17.0 69.7 left
Mladotický potok 16.2 23.5 left

Settlements

There are no significant settlements on the Střela. The most populated settlement is the town of Toužim, where the river originates. The river further flows through the municipal territories of Útvina, Bochov, Štědrá, Žlutice, Chyše, Manětín, Štichovice, Mladotice, Pláně, Plasy, Obora, Koryta, Dolní Hradiště, Kozojedy and Liblín.

Bodies of water

There are 96 bodies of water larger than 1 ha in the basin area. The largest body of water is the Žlutice Reservoir with an area of 142 ha (350 acres), built directly on the Střela. On the upper course of the river is a system of fishponds.[3]

Fauna

Species of animals that are endangered within the Czech Republic and live in or near the river include the brook lamprey, European crayfish and Eurasian beaver.[5]

Tourism

The Střela is suitable for river tourism only after heavy rains, melting snow or when water is released from the Žlutice Reservoir.[6]

References

  1. ^ Loucká, Pavla (1997-09-05). "Řeky si pojmenovali nejdřív" (in Czech). Vesmír. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  2. ^ Šmilauer, Vladimír. "O původu názvů českých řek". Naše řeč (in Czech). Institute of the Czech Language. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  3. ^ a b "Základní charakteristiky toku Střela a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  4. ^ "Vodní toky". Evidence hlásných profilů (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
  5. ^ "Koncepce ochrany přírody a krajiny Karlovarského kraje na období 2016–2025" (PDF) (in Czech). Karlovy Vary Region. p. 80. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  6. ^ "Řeka Střela pod Žlutickou přehradou" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
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