Úpa

The Úpa (German: Aupa) is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Elbe River. It flows through the Hradec Králové Region. It is 78.1 km (48.5 mi) long.

Úpa
The Úpa near Jaroměř
Location
CountryCzech Republic
RegionHradec Králové
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationPec pod Sněžkou, Giant Mountains
 • elevation1,424 m (4,672 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Elbe
 • coordinates
50°21′12″N 15°55′51″E
 • elevation
250 m (820 ft)
Length78.1 km (48.5 mi)
Basin size513.1 km2 (198.1 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average6.99 m3/s (247 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
ProgressionElbe→ North Sea

Etymology

The name is of the Illyrian or Celtic origin, from the word which meant 'river'.[1][2]

Characteristic
The Úpa in Trutnov

The Úpa originates in the territory of Pec pod Sněžkou in the Giant Mountains at the elevation of 1,424 m (4,672 ft), on the slope of the Studniční hora mountain. It has the highest source of all Czech rivers.[2] flows to Jaroměř, where it enters the Elbe River at the elevation of 250 m (820 ft). It is 78.1 km (48.5 mi) long. Its drainage basin has an area of 513.1 km2 (198.1 sq mi), of which 490.3 km2 (189.3 sq mi) in the Czech Republic and rest in Poland.[3][4]

The upper course is characterized by a large drop and a rocky river bed. Its tributaries are mainly small mountain streams.[4] The longest tributaries of the Úpa are:

TributaryLength (km)River kmSide
Olešnice18.614.8left
Ličná17.544.5left

Settlements

The most notable settlement on the river is the town of Trutnov. The river flows through the municipal territories of Pec pod Sněžkou, Horní Maršov, Svoboda nad Úpou, Mladé Buky, Trutnov, Suchovršice, Úpice, Havlovice, Slatina nad Úpou, Červená Hora, Žernov, Česká Skalice, Říkov, Rychnovek and Jaroměř.

Bodies of water

There are 266 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them is the fishpond Špinka with an area of 35 ha (86 acres).[3] A canal from the Úpa also supplies the Rozkoš Reservoir, but it does not belong into the river's basin area.[5]

Protection of nature
Viktorčin splav, one of the best-known places in Grandmother's Valley popularized by The Grandmother book

The section of the river between Červená Hora and Česká Skalice and the immediate surroundings is known as the Babiččino údolí ("Grandmother's Valley"). It is protected as a national nature monument with an area is 331.0 ha (818 acres).[6] Protected species of birds such as the common kingfisher, grey wagtail, white-throated dipper, river warbler and common merganser are tied to the Úpa. Other notable representatives of the fauna in the protected area are the European crayfish, European bullhead, Eurasian otter and green snaketail.[7]

Sport
Slalom course in Trutnov

There is a slalom course on the river in Trutnov. The Trutnovské slalomy competition is held here every year since 1965.[8]

Tourism

The Úpa is suitable for river tourism, but in the summer there is usually a lack of water in the river. The upper course is only suitable for experienced paddlers. The most popular section is therefore the section from Trutnov-Bohuslavice to Česká Skalice.[9]

Grandmother's Valley is connected with life and work of Božena Němcová, who belongs among the most impactful Czech writers. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The area of the Ratibořice Castle and valley is protected as a national cultural monument.[10][11]

See also

References
  1. Šmilauer, Vladimír. "O původu názvů českých řek". Naše řeč (in Czech). Institute of the Czech Language. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  2. "Řeka Úpa – nejvýše pramenící česká řeka" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  3. "Základní charakteristiky toku Úpa a jeho povodí" (in Czech). T. G. Masaryk Water Research Institute. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  4. "Svoboda nad Úpou – Povodňový plán města: Hydrologické údaje". Elektronický digitální povodňový portál (in Czech). Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  5. "Vodní dílo Rozkoš" (PDF) (in Czech and English). Povodí Labe. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  6. "Babiččino údolí" (in Czech). Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  7. "Národní přírodní památka Babiččino údolí" (in Czech). Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  8. Braun, Jan (2023-04-30). "Nesmlouvavé souboje s divokou vodou. Trutnovská loděnice žila závody" (in Czech). Deník.cz. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  9. "Úpa – zpod Sněžky do labských rovin" (in Czech). Pádler. 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  10. "Zámek Ratibořice s areálem Babiččina údolí" (in Czech). National Heritage Institute. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  11. "Babiččino údolí v Ratibořicích – na skok do románu Boženy Němcové" (in Czech). CzechTourism. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
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