Neris

The Neris River rises in northern Belarus. It runs westward, passing past Vilnius (Lithuania's capital), and as its primary tributary, it flows into the Nemunas (Neman) in Kaunas in the country's south-central region. It is 510 kilometers long (320 mi). The river flows through Lithuania for 235 kilometers (146 miles) after passing through Belarus for 276 kilometers (171 miles). The Neris River connects the Lithuanian capitals of Kernav and Vilnius. Along with its banks are pagan Lithuanian burial grounds. Karmazin's historic burial mounds, with many legendary stones and a holy oak, are located 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Vilnius.

The origins behind the river's dual name as Neris by Lithuanians and Viliya (previously Velja, meaning "large, great" in Slavic) by Slavs are complicated. Even in Vilnius, there are toponyms that include both names, such as Neris in the riverbank names Paneriai and Paneriks, and Velja in the name Valakampiai, which means "an angle of Velja" in Lithuanian. Vilijampol (Vilija + polis, which means "polis by Vilija") is another name for a portion of Kaunas along the Neris river that was previously a distinct town.

Neris has taken you to the Neman 6 km3 of water throughout the years. The spring runoff accounts for 42 percent of the entire yearly amount of water in the summer, 18 percent in the fall, and 21 percent in the winter. Spring flooding often begins in mid-March and lasts until mid-May. Flooding caused a 4 m rise in the water level at the mouth of the Eimena, a 3 m rise in Vilnius, a 3.5 m rise in Jonavoje, and a 4 m rise in Kaunas. Floors during the flood - the Eimena average rises 8 m, 6 m in Vilnius, 7.5 m in Jonavoje, and 8 m in Kaunas. The water level will settle around mid-May during the summer. In July and August, at least, the water runs down the river. During the summer, rain often floods, causing the water level to climb an average of 1.2 m, and in extreme circumstances, up to 3.5 m. The largest measured summer flood discharges were 570 m3 / s in Vilnius and 954 m3 / s in Jonavoje.

Length: 510 km