Vsetínská Bečva

Vsetínská Bečva
The Vsetínská Bečva in Janová
Map
Location
CountryCzech Republic
RegionZlín
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationVelké Karlovice, Hostýn-Vsetín Mountains
 • elevation896 m (2,940 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Bečva
 • coordinates
49°28′11″N 17°57′16″E / 49.46972°N 17.95444°E / 49.46972; 17.95444
 • elevation
285 m (935 ft)
Length59.4 km (36.9 mi)
Basin size734 km2 (283 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average9.4 m3/s (330 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionBečvaMoravaDanubeBlack Sea

The Vsetínská Bečva (also called Horní Bečva; German: Obere Betschwa, Obere Betsch) is a river in the Czech Republic. It flows through the Zlín Region. It is the upper course of the Bečva, but usually it is considered a separate river. Until its confluence with the Rožnovská Bečva, when it further continues as Bečva, the Vsetínská Bečva is 59.4 km (36.9 mi) long.

Etymology

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The name Bečva is derived from the old Czech words bek, beč (i.e. 'cry'), meaning 'loud river'.[1] The attribute Vsetínská is derived from the town of Vsetín. The river is also called Horní Bečva ('upper Bečva').[2]

Characteristic

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Confluence of the Vsetínská Bečva (right) and Rožnovská Bečva

From a water management point of view, the Bečva and Vsetínská Bečva are two different rivers with separate numbering of river kilometres. The Vsetínská Bečva originates in the territory of Velké Karlovice in the Hostýn-Vsetín Mountains at an elevation of 896 m (2,940 ft) and then flows to Valašské Meziříčí, where it merges with the Rožnovská Bečva River at an elevation of 285 m (935 ft) and continues as Bečva. It is 59.4 km (36.9 mi) long. Its drainage basin has an area of 734 km2 (283 sq mi), of which 727.5 km2 (280.9 sq mi) is in the Czech Republic.[3][2]

The longest tributaries of the Vsetínská Bečva are:[4]

Tributary Length (km) River km Side
Senice 32.5 23.3 left
Bystřička 22.2 7.5 right
Rokytenka 13.4 19.4 left
Ratibořka 11.0 14.2 left

Settlements

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Upper course of the river in Velké Karlovice

The most notable settlement on the river is the town of Vsetín. The river flows through the municipal territories of Velké Karlovice, Karolinka, Nový Hrozenkov, Halenkov, Huslenky, Hovězí, Janová, Ústí, Vsetín, Ratiboř, Pržno, Jablůnka, Mikulůvka, Bystřička, Jarcová and Valašské Meziříčí.

Bodies of water

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There are no reservoirs and fishponds built directly on the Vsetínská Bečva. There are 165 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them are the Karolinka Reservoir with an area of 44 ha (110 acres) and Bystřička Reservoir with an area of 22 ha (54 acres).[3]

Tourism

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The Vsetínská Bečva is suitable for river tourism. About 54 km (34 mi) of the river is navigable. The river is best navigable in spring and after the rains. There are several weirs on the river that are dangerous for paddlers.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Pokorná, Eva; Polívková, Alena (1984). "Zeměpisná jména Československa". Naše řeč (in Czech). Institute of the Czech Language. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  2. ^ a b c "Vsetínská Bečva" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  3. ^ a b "Základní charakteristiky toku Vsetínská Bečva a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  4. ^ "Vodní toky". Evidence hlásných profilů (in Czech). Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
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