Širvinta Explained

Širvinta
Source1 Location:9km (06miles) northeast of Paberžė
Mouth Coordinates:55.1094°N 24.5554°W
Subdivision Type1:Country
Length:129km (80miles)
Discharge1 Avg:7.5m3/s
Basin Size:918km2

The Širvinta is a river in Lithuania. Stretching for 129 km, it is the longest tributary of the Šventoji. Its source is in the hinterlands of the Širvintos district.[1] After it passes through the town of Širvintos, where a low head dam has been built, it continues through the Ukmergė district, and borders the Jonava district. The Širvinta flows into the Šventoji between Upninkai and Vepriai.

The Širvinta has a rapid flow and winding rocky bed, which is used by kayakers.[2] The Širvinta Landscape Reserve, encompassing the river banks and escarpments of the Širvinta, was established in 1992 to protect the channel's unique landscape. Some of the loamy scarps near Upninkai reach as high as 40 metres.

The name of the river is probably derived from the Baltic adjective Baltic languages: širmas or Baltic languages: širvas, meaning brown.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KELIONĖ ŠIRVINTOS UPE. Širvintos District Municipality. 31 December 2020.
  2. Web site: Kelių valandų žygis baidarėmis savaitgalio popietei: neatrasta Širvintos upė. 15min.lt. 31 December 2020.