Simeto Explained

Simeto
Source1 Location:Nebrodi Mountains
Mouth:Ionian Sea
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:Italy
Length:116km (72miles)
Source1 Elevation:about 1700m (5,600feet)
Discharge1 Avg:25m3/s
Basin Size:4029km2

The Simeto (pronounced as /it/; Sicilian: Simetu; Latin: Symaethus; Greek, Modern (1453-);: Σύμαιθος) is a 113km (70miles) long river in Sicily, southern Italy. At 116km (72miles), it is the second longest river on the island after the Salso (also known as Southern Imera), but the most important in terms of watershed (4029km2).[1] It flows through the province of Enna and the province of Catania.

Its source is located near Bronte, from the union of several streams of the Nebrodi Mountains. After receiving its first affluent, the Troina, the river starts running southwards into a spectacular canyon of lava from eruptions of Mount Etna. Near Adrano, Simeto constitutes the boundary between the province of Catania and that of Enna, and receives the Salso,[2] then flows near Paternò.

Simeto's final course is slower and twisting, being all included in the plain of Catania; its last confluences are with the Dittaino and the Gornalunga, before flowing into the Ionian Sea south to the metropolitan area of Catania.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.sitr.regione.sicilia.it/pai/bac094-simeto.htm Bacino Idrografico del Fiume Simeto (094), Relazione bacino
  2. Not to be confused with the larger Salso River of western Sicily.