The Chrudimka is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Elbe River. It flows through the Pardubice Region. It is long, making it the 18th longest river in the Czech Republic.
Etymology The river is named after the town of Chrudim. The initial name of the river was Kamenice (from , i.e. 'stony'), which referred to the character of the rived bed. This name was first documented in 1146. The middle course of the river was alternatively called Ohebka (from = 'bend'). The lower course of the river was also called Pardubská řeka ('Pardubice river') or Městská řeka ('city river'). Around 1697, the name of the entire river was standardised to Chrudimka.
Characteristic
The Chrudimka originates in Krouna in the Iron Mountains at the elevation of and flows to Pardubice, where it enters the Elbe River at the elevation of . It is long, making it the 18th longest river in the Czech Republic. Its drainage basin has an area of .
The longest tributaries of the Chrudimka are: Tributary Length (km) River km Side Novohradka 49.2 13.8 right Dlouhý potok 9.1 78.2 left Okrouhlický potok 8.9 28.5 left
Course The most notable settlement on the river and the final destination before it enters the Elbe is the city of Pardubice. The river flows through the municipal territories of Krouna, Kameničky, Hamry, Hlinsko, Vítanov, Vysočina, Trhová Kamenice, Horní Bradlo, Seč, Bojanov, Libkov, České Lhotice, Svídnice, Slatiňany, Chrudim, Tuněchody, Úhřetice, Úhřetická Lhota and Pardubice.
Bodies of water
There are several reservoirs built on the Chrudimka: Hamry, Seč, Seč II, Křižanovice I and Křižanovice II. The largest body of water in the basin area is the Seč Reservoir with an area of . Its purpose is primarily flood protection, but it is also used for recreation, hydropower generation and water retention in the dry season. There are 83 bodies of water larger than 1 ha in the basin area.
Fauna The fauna in the river and its immediate surroundings is represented by edible frog, common toad, northern pike, European bullhead, common kingfisher, European otter and European crayfish.
Economy Before the Křižanovice II Reservoir there is Práčov, the largest hydroelectric power station in the Pardubice Region.
Tourism Along the course of the river from its source to Chrudim there is an educational trail called Krajem Chrudimky ("through Chrudimka's region"), which is long.
The Chrudimka is suitable for river tourism. It belongs to the undemanding rivers suitable for beginner paddlers.
References
External links
River flow at Nemošice station – Flood Warning and Forecasting Service of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute