Loučná (river)

The Loučná is a river in the Czech Republic, a left tributary of the Elbe River. It flows through the Pardubice Region. It is 80.3 km (49.9 mi) long.

Loučná
The Loučná in Litomyšl
Location
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Pardubice
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Karle, Svitavy Uplands
• coordinates	49°45′55″N 16°22′58″E
• elevation	516 m (1,693 ft)
Mouth
• location	Elbe
• coordinates	50°3′35″N 15°49′23″E
• elevation	218 m (715 ft)
Length	80.3 km (49.9 mi)
Basin size	724.7 km2 (279.8 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	4.43 m3/s (156 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
Progression	Elbe→ North Sea

Etymology

The name is derived from the Czech word louka, meaning 'meadow'. The name refers to the character of the watershed.^[1]

Characteristic

The Loučná near the estuary

The Loučná originates in the territory of Karle in the Svitavy Uplands at an elevation of 516 m (1,693 ft). It flows to Kunětice, where it enters the Elbe River at an elevation of 218 m (715 ft). It is 80.3 km (49.9 mi) long. Its drainage basin has an area of 724.7 km² (279.8 sq mi).^[2]

The longest tributaries of the Loučná are:^[3]

Tributary	Length (km)	River km	Side
Desná	30.6	55.0	left
Končinský potok	21.5	53.1	right
Jalový potok	17.7	65.9	left
Lodrantka	15.8	6.8	right
Zadní Lodrantka	15.0	2.6	right

Settlements

The most populated settlements on the river are the towns of Vysoké Mýto and Litomyšl. The river flows through the municipal territories of Karle, Chmelík, Trstěnice, Čistá, Benátky, Litomyšl, Tržek, Cerekvice nad Loučnou, Hrušová, Vysoké Mýto, Tisová, Zámrsk, Slatina, Dobříkov, Týnišťko, Radhošť, Vraclav, Stradouň, Trusnov, Uhersko, Ostrov, Chroustovice, Moravany, Slepotice, Dašice, Lány u Dašic, Sezemice and Kunětice.

Bodies of water

There are 380 bodies of water in the basin area. The largest of them are the fishponds Velký zálešský with an area of 45.8 ha (113 acres) and Chobot with an area of 42.1 ha (104 acres), both built on the tributary Hraniční potok.^[2] There are no fishponds or reservoirs built directly on the Loučná.

Tourism

The Loučná is suitable for river tourism. The lower course of the river is navigable almost all year round, but the upper course is navigable only after heavy rains or melting snow. The Loučná is an undemanding river with a slight gradient, suitable for less experienced paddlers.^[4]

See also

• List of rivers of the Czech Republic