Studená Vltava

The Studená Vltava (German: Kalte Moldau) is a river in the Czech Republic and Germany, the secondary source river of the Vltava River. It flows through Bavaria in Germany and through the South Bohemian Region. It is 24.7 km (15.3 mi) long.

Studená Vltava Kalte Moldau
The Studená Vltava near Stožec
Location
Countries	Czech Republic Germany
Regions/ States	South Bohemian Bavaria
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Haidmühle, Bavarian Forest
• elevation	961 m (3,153 ft)
Mouth
• location	Vltava
• coordinates	48°51′33″N 13°53′35″E
• elevation	731 m (2,398 ft)
Length	24.7 km (15.3 mi)
Basin size	121.0 km2 (46.7 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	2.04 m3/s (72 cu ft/s) near estuary
Basin features
Progression	Vltava→ Elbe→ North Sea

Etymology

The name Vltava is derived from the Proto-Germanic words wilt-ahwa, i.e 'wild water'. The attribute studená means 'cold', compared to the Teplá Vltava, i.e. 'warm Vltava'.^[1]

Characteristic

The Studená Vltava is formed by the gradual confluence of several creek with their own names, but the main source called Weberaubach is taken as an integral part of the Studená Vltava. The Studená Vltava originates in the territory of Haidmühle in the Bavarian Forest at an elevation of 961 m (3,153 ft) and flows to the Pěkná exclave of the Nová Pec municipality, where it merges with the Teplá Vltava River at an elevation of 731 m (2,398 ft) and continues as Vltava. It is 24.7 km (15.3 mi) long, of which 7.7 km (4.8 mi) is in Germany, 2.0 km (1.2 mi) forms the Czech-German state border and 15.0 km (9.3 mi) is in the Czech Republic. Its drainage basin has an area of 121.0 km² (46.7 sq mi), of which 74.5 km² (28.8 sq mi) is in the Czech Republic.^[2]

The longest tributaries of the Studená Vltava are:^[3]

Tributary	Length (km)	Side
Světlá	10.0	right
Hučina	6.5	right

Course

The river flows through the municipal territories of Haidmühle in Germany and Stožec and Nová Pec in the Czech Republic.

Nature

The Studená Vltava in Germany

The Czech part of the river is located within the Šumava National Park. Among the common species of fish in the Studená Vltava are river trout, rainbow trout, grayling, brook trout, European chub, common dace and European bullhead. Several other species are occasionally found, such as northern pike, European eel, zander and European perch.^[4]

River-bound birds include common kingfisher, white-throated dipper and grey heron. The river is also home to the protected species of freshwater pearl mussel and brook lamprey.^[4]

See also

• List of rivers of the Czech Republic
• List of rivers of Bavaria