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Rivers

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River
Elbe
Description
River Map Summary
The Elbe is the 14th longest river in Europe, flows through Bohemia, Saxony down to Hamburg.

History
The Name Elbe derives from the ancient indogerman word "albhos" - "white" (river). In modern times it is used for commercial shipping since 1842 as it provides a route between the Hamburg and Prague in Bohemia. The Middelelbe connects to the northgerman canals, thus providing a transport route to the industrial Ruhr Area and the Rhine River at Duisburg.

Geography
From its source the Elbe flows southwards, then turns west before it flows north towards the North Sea. At Melnik the Moldau (Vltava) discarges into the Elbe. Actually ithe Vltava is much longer than the Elbe at that point, but due to medieval tradition, the river is still called Elbe. Behind the Czech - German border, the Elbe flows through the Saxony Swiss. North of Meissen the Elbe enters the Northgerman Lowlands. For a short distance the Elbe formed the Inner German border during the Cold War. After it passes Hamburg and its oversea harbour, it discarges into the North Sea.

Locks
Total of 7 locks. 6 Locks on the czech side of the border upstream until you reach Melnik (at the confluence of the Vltava). Just close to Hamburg is another lock at Geesthacht. Most cruises end (or start) at Bad Schandau on the german side of the border and transfer to Prague by bus.

Cruise it
A typical two week cruise on the Elbe starts in Hamburg, includes trips to Berlin and ends in the czech capital Prague. If you decide just to go for one week, you will most likely start in Berlin, board in the Magdeburg area and cruise to Prague. Usually cruises do not go the last few miles from Melnik up the Vltava (unlike -2010), so be prepared for some bussing around.
Additional Facts http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbe
Altitude Profile
Geographical Facts
Length 1 091 km / 678 mil
Length Airline 563 km / 350 mil
GPS Source 50° 46′ 32.59″ N, 15° 32′ 10.14″ E
Source Elevation 1386 m / 4 547 feet
Mouth Elevation 0 m / 0 feet
GPS Mouth 53° 55′ 20″ N, 8° 43′ 20″ E
Basin Area 148 268 km² / 57 231 mil²
Average Discarge 870 m³/s / 30 724 ft³/s
Waters IntoElbe - North Sea
Runs through countries
Czech Republic - Germany

Upstream KMStation NameYesterday Average
787.00 Melnik 258
718.00 Usti nad Labem 141
695.00 Děčín 109
683.00 Hřensko 138
679.95 Schöna 91
647.33 Pirna 117
626.37 Dresden 79
599.80 Meissen 129
573.60 Riesa 143
553.98 Mühlberg 164
527.85 Torgau 69
497.55 Pretzsch-Mauken 50
481.85 Elster 50
467.86 Wittenberg 116
445.69 Coswig 142
436.38 Vockerode 106
424.16 Rosslau 85
420.84 Dessau 102
407.25 Aken 86
387.18 Barby 82
370.24 Schönebeck 120
356.61 Magdeburg-Buckau 130
355.33 Magdeburg-Strombrücke 92
348.88 Rothensee 135
338.40 Niegripp AP 247
331.36 Rögatz 65
293.74 Tangermünde 173
285.89 Storkau 217
265.94 Sandau 219
234.78 Scharleuk NA
228.02 Wittenberge 140
218.06 Müggendorf 154
207.44 Schnackenburg 146
197.30 Lenzen 129
177.28 Dömitz 74
172.65 Damnatz 170
159.08 Hitzacker 129
145.45 Neu Darchau 130
132.29 Bleckede 544
122.54 Boizenburg 80
113.03 Hohnstorf 431
108.20 Artlenburg 423
98.64 Geestacht 416
96.01 Wehr Geesthacht UP 587