The Sázava () is a river in the Czech Republic, a right tributary of the Vltava River. It flows through the Vysočina and Central Bohemian regions. It is long, making it the 6th longest river in the Czech Republic.
Etymology The first written mention of the river is from 1045, when it was called Zazoa in a Latin text. Other early spellings of the name were Zazaua and Sassava. There are several theories about the origin of the name. One of the more likely theories says that the name could be derived from the Proto-Slavic verb sadjati (modern Czech sázet, usazovat), meaning 'to sediment', 'to sink to the bottom'. According to another theory, the name has its basis in the Celtic word sathá, which meant 'grove', 'forest', as well as 'swarming', 'flickering'.
Characteristic
The Sázava originates in Cikháj in the Upper Svratka Highlands at an elevation of and flows to Davle, where it enters the Vltava River at an elevation of . It is long, making it the 6th longest river in the Czech Republic. Its drainage basin has an area of .
The longest tributaries of the Sázava are: Tributary Length (km) River km Side Želivka 103.9 98.8 left Blanice 66.0 78.6 left Šlapanka 39.0 164.4 left Konopišťský potok 33.0 31.3 left Sázavka 32.2 144.8 right Janovický potok 28.1 19.2 left Perlový potok 23.1 153.3 left Jevanský potok 20.9 48.7 right Úsobský potok 20.7 156.9 left Pstružný potok 18.8 141.1 left Štěpánovský potok 18.7 95.9 left Břevnický potok 18.5 166.6 right Křešický potok 18.2 72.0 left
Course
The most notable settlements on the river are the towns of Žďár nad Sázavou and Havlíčkův Brod. The river meanders in a generally north-westerly direction and flows past Polnička, Žďár nad Sázavou, Hamry nad Sázavou, Sázava (Žďár nad Sázavou District), Nové Dvory, Přibyslav, Pohled, Havlíčkův Brod, Okrouhlice, Pohleď, Světlá nad Sázavou, Trpišovice, Vilémovice, Ledeč nad Sázavou and Chřenovice.
After it crosses the border between the Vysočina and Central Bohemian regions, it flows past Vlastějovice, Horka II, Zruč nad Sázavou, Kácov, Tichonice, Soběšín, Český Šternberk, Rataje nad Sázavou, Ledečko, Samopše and Sázava (Benešov District). From here it flows generally westward, past Stříbrná Skalice, Chocerady, Hvězdonice, Senohraby, Čtyřkoly, Čerčany, Poříčí nad Sázavou, Nespeky, Týnec nad Sázavou, Krhanice, Kamenný Přívoz, reaching its confluence with the Vltava (at the latter's 78.3 km mark) at the boundary between Hradištko and Davle, about south of the municipal border of Prague.
Bodies of water There are 6,661 bodies of water in the basin area; the largest of them is the Švihov Reservoir with an area of , built on the Želivka. The most notable body of water directly on the Sázava is the Velké Dářko fish pond with an area of .
Fauna The river is a biocentre and biocorridor for many animal species. Endangered species that live here include the common kingfisher, Eurasian otter, Amur bitterling, thick shelled river mussel, depressed river mussel and river orb mussel.
Tourism
The Sázava is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the country and is among the most popular rivers for river tourism. The area around the river is associated with the Czech tramping movement. About of the river from Žďár nad Sázavou to the mouth is navigable. The most popular section is Týnec nad Sázavou–Pikovice. Between Světlá nad Sázavou and Ledeč nad Sázavou is the Stvořidla Nature Reserve with the most difficult rapids in the Czech Republic.
References
External links
River flow at Nespeky station – Flood Warning and Forecasting Service of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute