Motława

For the ferry that crosses the river, see Motława (ship).

The Motława (German: Mottlau; Kashubian: Mòtława) is a river in Eastern Pomerania in Poland.^[1] Its source is in Szpęgawskie Lake, northeast from the town of Starogard Gdański. The Motlawa goes through Rokickie Lake to Martwa Wisła, a branch of the Vistula.^[2] The total length of the river is estimated at 68 km, and its drainage basin is 1511.3 km².^[3]

Motława River
The Main Town of Gdańsk
Location
Country	Poland
Physical characteristics
Source	Szpęgawskie Lake [pl]
• location	near Szpęgawsk, Starogard County
Mouth	Martwa Wisła
• location	Gdańsk
• coordinates	54°21′36″N 18°39′51″E
Length	64.7 km (40.2 mi)
Basin size	1,511.3 km2 (583.5 sq mi)
Basin features
Progression	Martwa Wisła→ Baltic Sea
Tributaries
• left	Kłodawa [pl] Radunia Czarna Łacha [pl]
• right	Nowa Motława
Waterbodies	Rokickie Lake [pl] Rokickie Małe Lake [pl]

The city of Gdańsk is situated at its mouth in the Martwa Wisła. In Gdańsk, the Motława ferry crosses the river, a service that has run since the year 1687.^[4]

The Polish name Motława is derived from Old Prussian language. In German the river is known as Mottlau.

A common theory for the etymology of the cities Gdańsk and Gdynia is that they are named after an older Polish and Kashubian name for the river, Gdania.

Route

The Motława flows through the following municipalities: Starogard Gdański, Tczew, Suchy Dąb, Pruszcz Gdański, and the city of Gdańsk.