The Stropnice is a river in the Czech Republic and Austria, a right tributary of the Malše River. It originates in Lower Austria, but quickly leaves the territory of Austria and flows further through the South Bohemian Region. It is 58.9 km (36.6 mi) long.

Stropnice
The Stropnice in Nové Hrady-Byňov
Location
Countries
Regions/
States
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationMoorbad Harbach, Gratzen Mountains, Austria
 • elevation860 m (2,820 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Malše
 • coordinates
48°53′0″N 14°30′4″E / 48.88333°N 14.50111°E / 48.88333; 14.50111
 • elevation
412 m (1,352 ft)
Length58.9 km (36.6 mi)
Basin size402.4 km2 (155.4 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average2.45 m3/s (87 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionMalšeVltavaElbeNorth Sea

Etymology

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The name is derived from the Slavic word strop. While in modern Czech the word means 'ceiling', its earlier meaning is unclear. According to one theory, it was the name given to the log on which the water wheel rested, and the name could reflect the presence of many watermills on the river. The settlements Stropnice (formerly a market town, today called Horní Stropnice), Dlouhá Stropnice (today part of Horní Stropnice) and Stropnice (today Dolní Stropnice, part of Římov) were named after the river.[1]

Characteristic

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Confluence of the Stropnice (right) and Malše

The Stropnice originates in the territory of Moorbad Harbach in the Gratzen Mountains at the elevation of 860 m (2,820 ft) and flows to Doudleby, where it enters the Malše River at the elevation of 412 m (1,352 ft). It is 58.9 km (36.6 mi) long, of which 58.4 km (36.3 mi) is in the Czech Republic (including the 850 m (2,790 ft) stretch that partly forms the Austrian-Czech border). Its drainage basin has an area of 402.4 km2 (155.4 sq mi), of which 386.9 km2 (149.4 sq mi) is in the Czech Republic.[2][3]

The longest tributaries of the Stropnice are:

Tributary Length (km) Side
Svinenský potok 34.1 left
Žárský potok 16.0 left

Settlements

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There are no significant towns on the river. The river flows through the municipal territories of Moorbad Harbach, Horní Stropnice, Nové Hrady, Petříkov, Olešnice, Jílovice, Borovany, Trhové Sviny, Ostrolovský Újezd, Strážkovice, Komařice, Římov and Doudleby.

Bodies of water

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Upper course in Komařice-Pašinovice

The middle course of the river flows through the Třeboň Basin, which is known for abundance of fishponds. There are 929 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them is the fishpond Žárský with an area of 95.2 ha (235 acres), located on the Žárský potok.[2] The Humenice Reservoir is built on the Stropnice. It was built in 1985–1988 on an area of 15.6 ha (39 acres). The main purpose is the protection of agricultural land.[4]

Tourism

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The Stropnice is occasionally suitable for river tourism, but only in spring after heavy rains or melting snow.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Profous, Antonín (1957). Místní jména v Čechách IV: S–Ž (in Czech). pp. 213–214.
  2. ^ a b "Základní charakteristiky toku Výrovka a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  3. ^ "Povodňový plán obce Horní Stropnice: Hydrologické údaje". Elektronický digitální povodňový portál (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  4. ^ "VD Humenice" (PDF) (in Czech). Povodí Vltavy, s.p. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
  5. ^ "Stropnice – málo známá jihočeská říčka" (in Czech). Pádler. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
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