Teplá (river) explained

Teplá
Source1 Location:Mariánské Lázně, Teplá Highlands
Mouth Location:Ohře
Mouth Coordinates:50.2342°N 12.87°W
Subdivision Type1:Country
Subdivision Name1:Czech Republic
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Karlovy Vary
Length:65.1km (40.5miles)
Discharge1 Avg:2.73m3/s near estuary
Basin Size:384.9km2

The Teplá (German: Tepl) is a river in the Czech Republic, a right tributary of the Ohře River. It flows through the Karlovy Vary Region. It is 65.1km (40.5miles) long. The basin of the river is known for thermal springs.

Etymology

The name literally means 'warm' and refers to its warm water.[1] In the basin of the river (in the city of Karlovy Vary) there are well-known thermal springs.[2]

Characteristic

The Teplá originates in the territory of Mariánské Lázně in the Teplá Highlands at the elevation of and flows to Karlovy Vary, where it enters the Ohře River at the elevation of . It is 65.1km (40.5miles) long. Its drainage basin has an area of 384.9km2.[2]

The longest tributaries of the Teplá are:

Tributary Length (km) River km Side
Lomnický potok 27.7 7.5 right
Pramenský potok 16.5 35.2 left

Settlements

The river flows through the municipal territories of Mariánské Lázně, Zádub-Závišín, Ovesné Kladruby, Teplá, Nová Ves, Bečov nad Teplou, Teplička, Březová and Karlovy Vary.

Bodies of water

There are 638 bodies of water in the basin area; the largest of them is the Stanovice Reservoir with an area of . The second largest body of water is Podhora Reservoir with an area of, built directly on the Teplá.[2] In the lower course of the river is also Březová Reservoir. On the upper course there is a system of several fishponds.

Protection of nature

The almost entire flow of the river is located in the protected landscape area of Slavkov Forest. The area of bogs where the Teplá originates is protected as Prameniště Teplé Nature Reserve with an area of .[3] The valley of the river south of Bečov nad Teplou is protected as Údolí Teplé Nature Reserve with an area of .[4]

Tourism

The sections of the river from Teplá to Bečov nad Teplou and from Bečov nad Teplou to Březová Reservoir are suitable for river tourism, but only in spring or after heavy rains.[5]

Sport

Once a year in September, the Březová Reservoir is drained and paddling races take place under the reservoir.[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Šmilauer. Vladimír. O původu názvů českých řek. Naše řeč. Institute of the Czech Language. cs. 2023-10-04.
  2. Web site: Základní charakteristiky toku Teplá a jeho povodí. T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. cs. 2023-10-04.
  3. Web site: Prameniště Teplé. Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. cs. 2023-10-04.
  4. Web site: Údolí Teplé. Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. cs. 2023-10-04.
  5. Web site: Řeka Teplá na Karlovarsku. CzechTourism. cs. 2023-10-04.