The Šventoji (Lithuanian: [ɕvʲɛnˈtôːjɪ] ; lit. The Holy One) is the longest river that flows entirely within Lithuania and the largest tributary of the Neris.[1] It originates from Lake Samanis in the Gražutė Regional Park and flows into the Neris near Jonava.[2] The longest tributary of the Šventoji is the Širvinta.

Šventoji
Location
CountryLithuania
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationLake Samanis
 • elevation225 m (738 ft)
MouthNeris
 • coordinates
55°05′39″N 24°21′05″E / 55.09417°N 24.35139°E / 55.09417; 24.35139
Length246 km (153 mi)
Basin size6,889 km2 (2,660 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average56.1 m3/s (1,980 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionNerisNemanBaltic Sea

The Šventoji passes through the cities of Anykščiai, Kavarskas and Ukmergė. In 1963–1964 a dam near Kavarskas was built to replenish the Nevėžis using water from the Šventoji. However, the dam is no longer used for being too expensive, ineffective, and violating environmental regulations of the European Union.[3] In 1959, the Antalieptė Reservoir, the second largest artificial lake in Lithuania, was built on the Šventoji.[2]

Tributaries edit

The following rivers are tributaries to the river Šventoji (from source to mouth):

References edit

  1. ^ "Šventosios pabaseinis" (in Lithuanian). Aplinkos apsaugos agentūra. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  2. ^ a b "Ten kur prasideda Šventoji..." (in Lithuanian). Gražutė Regional Park. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  3. ^ Subačius, Gintautas (2006-07-19). "Nevėžio troškulys didėja" (in Lithuanian). Sekunde.lt.