View source for Oder

{{Short description|River in Central Europe}}
{{About|the large river in Central Europe|the smaller river in Lower Saxony, Germany|Oder (Harz)|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Oder
| native_name = {{Native name list|tag1=pl|name1=Odra|tag2=hsb|name2=Wódra}}
| name_etymology = <!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image = WyspaRedzinska-GK.JPG
| image_size = 275
| image_caption = The Oder in the city of [[Wrocław]], Poland. <br>Rędzińska Island before the construction of the [[Rędziński Bridge]].
| map = Oder.png
| map_size =
| map_caption = Polen (Poland), Deutschland (Germany), and Tschechien (Czech Republic)
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption = <!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1 = Countries
| subdivision_name1 = {{hlist|Poland|Czech Republic|Germany}}
| subdivision_type2 = Cities
| subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|[[Ostrava]]|[[Racibórz]]|[[Opole]]|[[Brzeg]]|[[Wrocław]]|[[Głogów]]|[[Eisenhüttenstadt]]|[[Frankfurt (Oder)]]/[[Słubice]]|[[Kostrzyn nad Odrą]]|[[Schwedt]]|[[Szczecin]]}}
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 = <!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length = {{Convert|840|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location = [[River mouth|Mouth]]
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{Convert|567|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max = <!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1 =
| source1_location = Fidlův kopec, [[Oderské vrchy]], [[Olomouc Region]], [[Czech Republic]]
| source1_coordinates = {{Coord|49|36|47|N|017|31|15|E|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{Convert|634|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Szczecin Lagoon]]
| mouth_location = Baltic Sea, [[Poland]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{Coord|53|40|19|N|14|31|25|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation =
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size = {{Convert|119074|km2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
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| extra = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=5 |height=250 | stroke-width=1.5 |coord {{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
The '''Oder''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|oʊ|d|ər}} {{Respell|OH|dər}}, {{IPA|de|ˈoːdɐ|lang|De-Oder.ogg}}; [[Czech language|Czech]], [[Lower Sorbian language|Lower Sorbian]] and {{Langx|pl|Odra}};{{Efn|{{IPA|cs|ˈodra|-|cs-Odra.ogg}}, {{IPA|pl|ˈɔdra|-|pl-Odra.ogg}}.}} {{Langx|hsb|Wódra}} {{IPA|hsb|ˈwʊtʁa|}}) is a [[river]] in [[Central Europe]]. It is Poland's second-longest river and third-longest within its borders after the [[Vistula]] and its largest tributary the [[Warta]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naukowiec.org/tablice/geografia/najwieksze-rzeki-w-polsce_795.html|title=Największe rzeki w Polsce|first=naukowiec.org|last=kontakt@naukowiec.org|website=Naukowiec.org|access-date=13 August 2018}}</ref> The Oder rises in the [[Czech Republic]] and flows {{Convert|742|km|mi}} through western Poland, later forming {{Convert|187|km|mi}} of the border between Poland and Germany as part of the [[Oder–Neisse line]].<ref name="yearbook" /> The river ultimately flows into the [[Szczecin Lagoon]] north of [[Szczecin]] and then into three branches (the [[Dziwna]], [[Świna]] and [[Peene]]) that empty into the [[Bay of Pomerania]] of the [[Baltic Sea]].
== Names ==
The Oder is known by several names in different languages, but the modern ones are very similar: English and {{Langx|de|Oder|links=no}}; Czech, Polish, and {{Langx|dsb|Odra}}, {{Langx|hsb|Wódra}}; {{Langx|csb|Òdra}} ({{IPA|csb|ˈwɛdra|pron}}); [[Medieval Latin]]: ''Od(d)era''; [[Renaissance Latin]]: ''Viadrus'' (invented in 1534).
[[Ptolemy]] knew the modern Oder as the Συήβος (''Suebos''; [[Latin]] ''Suevus''), a name apparently derived from the [[Suebi]], a Germanic  people. While he also refers to an outlet in the area as the Οὐιαδούα ''Ouiadoua'' (or Οὐιλδούα ''Ouildoua''; Latin ''Viadua'' or ''Vildua''), this was apparently the modern [[Wieprza]], as it was said to be a third of the distance between the ''Suebos'' and [[Vistula]].<ref>[https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Periods/Roman/_Texts/Ptolemy/2/10.html Claudius Ptolemaios: ''Geographike Hyphegesis'', Kap. 11: ''Germania Magna''. (altgriech./lat./engl.)]</ref><ref>Ralf Loock: ''[http://www.moz.de/common/get_document.php?id=129253 Mündungen der Flüsse bestimmt.]{{Dead link|date=July 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}'' In: ''Märkische Oderzeitung'', Frankfurt 2008,3 (März); Ralf Loock: ''Namenskrimi um Viadrus'' in: ''Märkische Oderzeitung – Journal.'' Frankfurt 25./26. Nov. 2006, S. 2; siehe auch [[Alfred Stückelberger]], Gerd Graßhoff (Hrsg.): ''Ptolemaios – Handbuch der Geographie.'' Schwabe, Basel 2006, S. 223, {{ISBN|3-7965-2148-7}}</ref> The name ''Suebos'' may be preserved in the modern name of the [[Świna]] river (German ''Swine''), an outlet from the [[Szczecin Lagoon]] to the Baltic.
== Geography ==
The Oder is {{Convert|840|km|0|abbr=off}} long: {{Convert|112|km|0|abbr=in}} in the Czech Republic, {{Convert|726|km|0|abbr=in}} in Poland (including {{Convert|187|km|0|abbr=in}} on the border between Germany and Poland). It is the third longest river located within Poland (after the Vistula and Warta); however, it is the second longest river overall taking into account its total length, including parts in neighbouring countries.<ref name=yearbook>[http://stat.gov.pl/download/gfx/portalinformacyjny/en/defaultaktualnosci/3328/2/17/1/statistical_yearbook_of_the_republic_of_poland_2017.pdf Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Poland 2017], [[Central Statistical Office (Poland)|Statistics Poland]], p. 85–86</ref>
The Oder drains a basin of {{Convert|119074|km²|0|abbr=out}}, {{Convert|106043|km²|0|abbr=on}} of which are in Poland (89%),<ref name=yearbook/> {{Convert|7246|km²|0|abbr=on}} in the Czech Republic (6%), and {{Convert|5587|km²|0|abbr=on}} in Germany (5%). Channels connect it to the [[Havel]], [[Spree (river)|Spree]], Vistula system and [[Kłodnica]]. It flows through [[Silesian Voivodeship|Silesian]], [[Opole Voivodeship|Opole]], [[Lower Silesian Voivodeship|Lower Silesian]], [[Lubusz Voivodeship|Lubusz]], and [[West Pomeranian Voivodeship|West Pomeranian]] voivodeships of Poland and the states of [[Brandenburg]] and [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] in Germany.
The main branch empties into the Szczecin Lagoon near [[Police, West Pomeranian Voivodeship|Police, Poland]]. The Szczecin Lagoon is bordered on the north by the islands of [[Usedom]] (west) and [[Wolin]] (east). Between these two islands, there is only a narrow channel (Świna) going to the [[Bay of Pomerania]], which forms a part of the Baltic Sea.
The largest city on the Oder is [[Wrocław]], in [[Lower Silesia]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}
== Navigation ==
[[File:Słup graniczny Odra.jpg|thumb|The Oder dividing Poland and Germany seen from the Polish side near [[Kostrzyn nad Odrą]]]]
[[File:Oder Fluss.jpg|thumb|Estuary of the [[Lusatian Neisse]] into the Oder]]
The Oder is navigable over a large part of its total length, as far upstream as the town of [[Koźle]], where the river connects to the [[Gliwice Canal]]. The upstream part of the river is canalized and permits larger barges (up to [[Classification of European Inland Waterways|CEMT Class IV]]) to navigate between the industrial sites around the Wrocław area.
Further downstream the river is free-flowing, passing the towns of [[Eisenhüttenstadt]] (where the [[Oder–Spree Canal]] connects the river to the Spree in Berlin) and [[Frankfurt (Oder)|Frankfurt upon the Oder]]. Downstream of Frankfurt the river [[Warta]] forms a navigable connection with [[Poznań]] and [[Bydgoszcz]] for smaller vessels. At [[Hohensaaten]] the [[Oder–Havel Canal]] connects with the Berlin waterways again.
Near its mouth the Oder reaches the city of [[Szczecin]], a major maritime port. The river finally reaches the Baltic Sea through the Szczecin Lagoon and the river mouth at [[Świnoujście]].<ref>[http://www.noorderSoft.com/indexen.html NoorderSoft Waterways Database]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051109123915/http://www.noordersoft.com/indexen.html |date=9 November 2005 }}</ref>
== History ==
Under [[Germania|Germania Magna]], the river was known to the [[ancient Rome|Romans]] as the ''Viadrus'' or ''Viadua'' in [[Classical Latin]], as it was a branch of the [[Amber Road]] from the Baltic Sea to the [[Roman Empire]]. In Germanic languages, including English, it was and still is called the ''Oder'', written in medieval Latin documents as ''Odera'' or ''Oddera''. Most notably, it was mentioned in the [[Dagome iudex]], which described territory of the [[Poland in the Early Middle Ages|Duchy of Poland]] under Duke [[Mieszko I of Poland|Mieszko I]] in A.D. 990, as a part of Poland's western frontier, however, in most sections the border ran west of the river.
Before [[Slavs]] settled along its banks, the Oder was an important trade route, and towns in Germania were documented along with many tribes living between the rivers [[Elbe|Albis (Elbe)]], Oder, and [[Vistula]]. Centuries later, after Germanic tribes, the [[Bavarian Geographer]] (ca. 845) specified the following [[West Slavs|West Slavic]] peoples: [[Ślężanie|Sleenzane]], Dadosesani, [[Opolanie]], Lupiglaa, and Golensizi in [[Silesia]] and Wolinians with [[Pyrzyce|Pyrzycans]] in [[Western Pomerania]]. A document of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Prague|Bishopric of Prague]] (1086) mentions Zlasane, Trebovyane, Poborane, and Dedositze in Silesia.
In the 10th century, almost the entire course of the Oder River found itself within the borders of the newly formed Polish state, with the exception of the area around the source of the river, which was under [[Duchy of Bohemia|Bohemian]] rule. Several important cities of medieval Poland developed along the Oder, including [[Opole]] which became the capital of [[Upper Silesia]], [[Wrocław]] which became the capital of [[Lower Silesia]] and one of the main cities of the entire Kingdom of Poland (Latin: ''sedes regni principales''), and [[Lubusz]] (now Lebus) which became the capital of the [[Lubusz Land]], nicknamed "the key to the Kingdom of Poland" in medieval chronicles. Wrocław and Lubusz became seats of some of the oldest Catholic bishoprics of Poland, founded in 1000 ([[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wrocław|Wrocław]]) and 1125 ([[Bishopric of Lebus|Lubusz]]). Located near the mouth of the river, Szczecin became one of the main cities and ports of the [[Pomerania]] region and the entire southern coast of the Baltic Sea.
From the 13th century on, the Oder valley was central to German [[Ostsiedlung]], making the towns on its banks German-speaking over the following centuries.<ref>e.g. {{Cite book|author=Charles Higounet|title=Die deutsche Ostsiedlung im Mittelalter|pages=175|language=de}}</ref> Over time, control over parts of the river was taken from Poland by other countries, including the [[Margraviate of Brandenburg]] and the [[Kingdom of Bohemia]], and later also by [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]], [[Swedish Empire|Sweden]], [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]] and [[Germany]].
===Canals and waterway modifications===
The [[Finow Canal]], first built in 1605, connects the Oder and Havel. After completion of the more straight Oder–Havel Canal in 1914, its economic relevance decreased.
The earliest important undertaking to modify the river to improve navigation was initiated by [[Frederick the Great]], who recommended diverting the river into a new and straight channel in the swampy tract known as [[Oderbruch]] near Küstrin ([[Kostrzyn nad Odrą]]). The work was carried out in the years 1746–53, a large tract of marshland being brought under cultivation, a considerable detour cut off and the mainstream successfully confined to a canal.
In the late 19th century, three additional alterations were made to the waterway:
* The canalization of the mainstream at Breslau ([[Wrocław]]), and from the confluence of the [[Glatzer Neisse]] to the mouth of the Klodnitz Canal ([[Kłodnica Canal]]), a distance of over {{Convert|50|mi|km}}. These engineering works were completed in 1896.
* During 1887–91 the [[Oder–Spree Canal]] was made to connect the two rivers.
* The deepening and regulation of the mouth and lower course of the stream.
[[File:WOPR, Barka i Zamek Książąt Pomorskich.jpg|thumb|The Oder in [[Szczecin]], Poland, flows along the banks of the Old Town and the [[Ducal Castle, Szczecin|Ducal Castle]]]]
===Conditions in the Treaty of Versailles===
By the [[Treaty of Versailles#International organizations|Treaty of Versailles]], navigation on the Oder became subject to International Commission of the Oder.<ref>The commission was staffed with one representative of Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]], Sweden, and the United Kingdom each and three representatives of [[Free State of Prussia|Prussia]], being the German state competent for the navigable section of the Oder, comprised within the latter's borders. Cf. ''Der Große Brockhaus: Handbuch des Wissens in zwanzig Bänden'': 21 Bde., completely revised ed., Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, <sup>15</sup>1928–1935, vol 13 (1932): Dreizehnter Band Mue–Ost, article: 'Oder', pp. 600seq., here p. 601. No ISBN.</ref> Following the articles 363 and 364 of the Treaty [[Czechoslovakia]] was entitled to lease in Stettin (now Szczecin) its own section in the harbor, then called ''Tschechoslowakische Zone im Hafen Stettin''.<ref>Cf. Archiwum Państwowe w Szczecinie (State Archive of Szczecin), Rep. 126, Krajowy Urząd Skarbowy w Szczecinie [http://www.bkge.de/archiv-stettin.php?register=Holland+%28Holl%E4nder%29] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924015646/https://www.bkge.de/archiv-stettin.php?register=Holland+(Holl%E4nder)|date=24 September 2020}}</ref> The contract of lease between Czechoslovakia and [[Weimar Republic|Germany]], and supervised by the [[United Kingdom]], was signed on 16 February 1929, and would end in 2028, however, after 1945 Czechoslovakia did not regain this legal position, de facto abolished in 1938–39.
===1943 Border with Germany===
At the 1943 [[Tehran Conference]] the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] decided that the new eastern border of Germany would run along the Oder.<ref>Allen DJ (2003) ''The Oder-Neisse line: the United States, Poland, and Germany in the Cold War'' Praeger P13</ref> After World War II, the former German areas east of the Oder and the [[Lusatian Neisse]] passed to Poland by decision of the victorious [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] at the [[Potsdam Conference]] (at the insistence of the Soviets). As a result, the so-called [[Oder–Neisse line]] formed the border between the [[Soviet occupation zone of Germany|Soviet occupation zone]] (from 1949 [[East Germany]]) and Poland. The final border between Germany and Poland was to be determined at a future peace conference. A part of the German population east of these two rivers was evacuated by the [[Nazi Germany|Nazis]] during the war or fled from the approaching [[Red Army]]. After the war, the remaining 8 million Germans were [[Expulsion of Germans after World War II|expelled]] from these territories by the Polish and Soviet administrations.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Uprooted: How Breslau Became Wroclaw during the Century of Expulsions|author=Gregor Thum|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=2011|page=56}}</ref> East Germany confirmed the border with Poland under Soviet pressure in the [[Treaty of Zgorzelec]] in 1950. [[West Germany]], after a period of refusal, confirmed the inviolability of the border in 1970 in the [[Treaty of Warsaw (1970)|Treaty of Warsaw]]. In 1990 newly reunified Germany and the [[Republic of Poland]] signed a treaty recognizing the [[Oder–Neisse line]] as their border.
===2022 environmental disaster===
{{Main|2022 Oder environmental disaster}}
On 11 August 2022, it was discovered that the Oder river had been contaminated and at least 135 tonnes of dead fish washed up on its shores.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Auto |first=Hermes |date=11 August 2022 |title=Dead fish in River Oder on Poland-Germany border spur contamination probe {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/dead-fish-in-river-oder-on-polishgerman-border-spur-contamination-probe |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Strzelecki |first=Marek |date=11 August 2022 |title=Dead fish in River Oder on Polish/German border spur contamination probe |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dead-fish-river-oder-polishgerman-border-spur-contamination-probe-2022-08-11/ |access-date=11 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ten tonnes of dead fish hauled out of polluted River Odra |url=https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/ten-tonnes-of-dead-fish-hauled-out-of-polluted-river-odra-32345 |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=www.thefirstnews.com |language=en}}</ref> Water samples taken on 28 July indicated possible [[mesitylene]] contamination, although the toxin was not present in samples taken after 1 August.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S.A |first=Telewizja Polska |title=Mass death of fish in River Oder raises environmental stink |url=https://tvpworld.com/61785992/mass-death-of-fish-in-river-oder-raises-environmental-stink |access-date=11 August 2022 |website=tvpworld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
== Cities ==
[[File:Most, Brzeg Dolny, 2024.jpg|thumb|Exceptionally high water level in Brzeg Dolny (September 2024)]]
[[File:Łarpia-rzeka.jpg|thumb|[[Łarpia]], a left [[distributary]] of the Oder in [[Police, West Pomeranian Voivodeship|Police, Poland]]]]
Main section:
: [[Ostrava]] – [[Bohumín]] – [[Racibórz]] – [[Kędzierzyn-Koźle]] – [[Krapkowice]] – [[Opole]] – [[Brzeg]] – [[Oława]] – [[Jelcz-Laskowice]] – [[Wrocław]] – [[Brzeg Dolny]] – [[Ścinawa]] – [[Szlichtyngowa]] – [[Głogów]] – [[Bytom Odrzański]] – [[Nowa Sól]] – [[Zielona Góra]] – [[Krosno Odrzańskie]] – [[Eisenhüttenstadt]] – [[Frankfurt (Oder)]] – [[Słubice]] – [[Lebus]] – [[Kostrzyn nad Odrą|Kostrzyn]] – [[Cedynia]]  – [[Schwedt]] – [[Gartz]] – [[Gryfino]] – [[Szczecin]] – [[Police, West Pomeranian Voivodeship|Police]]
[[Szczecin Lagoon]]:
: [[Nowe Warpno]] – [[Ueckermünde]]
east: [[Dziwna]] (German: ''Dievenow'') branch (between [[Wolin]] Island and mainland Poland):
: [[Wolin]] – [[Kamień Pomorski]] – [[Dziwnów]]
middle: [[Świna]] (German: ''Swine'') branch (between Wolin and [[Usedom]] islands):
: [[Świnoujście]]
west: [[Peenestrom]] ([[Peene]]) (Polish: ''Piana'') branch (between Usedom Island and mainland Germany):
: [[Usedom]] – [[Lassan, Germany|Lassan]] – [[Wolgast]]
== Eastern tributaries ==
: [[Ostravice (river)|Ostravice]] – [[Olza (river)|Olza]] – [[Ruda (Oder)|Ruda]] – [[Bierawka (river)|Bierawka]] – [[Kłodnica]] – [[Czarnka (river)|Czarnka]] – [[Mała Panew]] – [[Stobrawa (river)|Stobrawa]] – [[Widawa]] – [[Jezierzyca (river)|Jezierzyca]] – [[Barycz (river)|Barycz]] – [[Krzycki Rów]] – [[Obrzyca (river)|Obrzyca]] – [[Jablonna (river)|Jabłonna]] – [[Pliszka (river)|Pliszka]] – [[Ołobok (river)|Ołobok]] – [[Gryżynka (river)|Gryżynka]] – [[Warta]] with the [[Noteć]] – [[Myśla (river)|Myśla]] – [[Kurzyca (river)|Kurzyca]] – [[Stubia (river)|Stubia]] – [[Rurzyca (river)|Rurzyca]] – [[Tywa]] – [[Płonia (river)|Płonia]] – [[Ina (river)|Ina]] – [[Gowienica]] – [[Śmieszka (river)|Śmieszka]]
== Western tributaries ==
: [[Opava (river)|Opava]] – Psina (Cyna) – Cisek – Olszówka – Stradunia – [[Osobłoga]] – Prószkowski Potok – [[Nysa Kłodzka]] – [[Oława (river)|Oława]] – [[Ślęza]] – Bystrzyca – Średzka Woda – Cicha Woda – [[Kaczawa]] – Ślepca – [[Zimnica (river)|Zimnica]] – Dębniak – Biała Woda – Czarna Struga – Śląska Ochla – Zimny Potok – [[Bóbr]] – Olcha – Racza – [[Lusatian Neisse]] – [[Finow]] – [[Gunica]]
== See also ==
{{Commons|Oder River}}
* [[List of rivers of Germany]]
* [[List of rivers of Poland]]
* [[Lower Oder Valley National Park]]
* [[Oder–Neisse line]]
* [[Odra Wodzisław]]
* [[Ostrów Grabowski]], a river island in [[Szczecin]]
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{EB1911|wstitle=Oder|volume=20|pages=2–3}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061125081039/http://odra.org/ multilingual information site on the Oder]
* [http://www.wrotaodry.eu Odra electronic shipping guide]
* [http://www.ppl.nl/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=82 Bibliography on Water Resources and International Law] Peace Palace Library
{{Tributaries of the Oder}}
{{Silesia topics}}
{{Pomerania}}
{{Rivers of Germany}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Oder basin| ]]
[[Category:Border rivers]]
[[Category:Federal waterways in Germany]]
[[Category:Germany–Poland border]]
[[Category:International rivers of Europe]]
[[Category:Rivers of Brandenburg]]
[[Category:Rivers of Germany]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Olomouc Region]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Moravian-Silesian Region]]
[[Category:Rivers of Poland]]
[[Category:Rivers of Silesian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Rivers of Opole Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Rivers of Lower Silesian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Rivers of Lubusz Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Rivers of West Pomeranian Voivodeship]]
[[Category:Rivers of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania]]
[[Category:Waterways in Poland]]