Samina (river)
| Samina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Countries | LiechtensteinandAustria |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | toIll,inBrandnertal,Vorarlberg |
• coordinates | 47°13′31″N9°37′37″E/ 47.2253°N 9.6270°E |
| Length | 17 km (11 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ill→Rhine→North Sea |
TheSamina(also:Saminabach) is awhitewaterriver ofLiechtensteinandAustria.It is a tributary of theIll.
The Samina originates in Liechtenstein. In the course of time, it formed theSaminatal(Samina Valley), the most western valley ofRätikonand side valley of theWalgau.The Saminatal makes up to one third of the territory of Liechtenstein. It has a length of approximately 17 km (11 mi) (Liechtenstein: 12 km (7.5 mi) (including its source rivulets, the 2nd longest river of theprincipality),[1]Austria: 5 km (3.1 mi)).
Source and course[edit]
The Samina comes into existence atÖlersegg(meeting point ofTriesenberg,an exclave ofSchaan(Brandegg) and an exclave ofBalzers), where the riversStägerbachandValorschbachmerge. They flow from south to north through the eastern part of Liechtenstein, the Saminatal, and then cross the border to Austria. In the community aera ofFrastanzthe river merges with the Ill.
Use[edit]
The water is intensively used for electricity production as well as for drinking water supply for the communities of Liechtenstein. The Samina possesses A to B grade quality and sportsmen value the river forrafting.
Liechtenstein[edit]
In general the Saminatal is not very populated or exploited, therefore its wildlife is almost untouched. Many endangered animals and plants exist there.[2]
There is one hydro-electric power station at Samina, which from 2011 to 2015 was transformed into a pumped-storage power station.[3][4][5]The pump-storage reservoir has to always leave some water to the river, the amounts fixed by the Liechtenstein law for protection of water. There are measures taken to ensure the ecological conditions of the river.[5][6]Nonetheless there is critique from ecologists, that these amounts are by far not enough to protect the wildlife in the river.[7][2]
Austria[edit]
At the lower course theE-Werke Frastanzrun three power plants.[8]
The Austrian part of Samina is a popular destination for rafting.
In the middle part of the valley, around the border of Liechtenstein and Austria, there is theEuropean Union nature protection areaSpirkenwälder Saminatal.[9]
References[edit]
- ^"Gewässer, Fluss, See, Bach – Fürstentum Liechtenstein".www.liechtenstein.li.Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^ab"Liechtensteinische Gesellschaft für Umweltschutz LGU".lgu.li.Retrieved27 April2023.
- ^"PSW Samina eröffnet - Liechtensteiner Volksblatt, die Tageszeitung für Liechtenstein".Liechtensteiner Volksblatt(in German).Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^"Kraftwerk Samina eröffnet - Liechtensteiner Volksblatt, die Tageszeitung für Liechtenstein".Liechtensteiner Volksblatt(in German).Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^ab"LKW - Wasserkraftwerk Samina".www.lkw.li.Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^"Liechtenstein: Mehr Wasser in der Samina (ee-news.ch)".www.ee-news.ch.Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^"Wasserkraft und Ökostrom".www.andrea-matt.li.Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^"Erneuerbare Energie".E-Werke Frastanz(in German).Retrieved19 March2019.
- ^"Spirkenwälder".Naturvielfalt(in German).Retrieved19 March2019.