The Kasplya (Belarusian and Russian: Каспля) is a river in Smolensky, Demidovsky, and Rudnyansky Districts of Smolensk Oblast of Russia and in Vitebsk Region of northern Belarus. It is a major left-bank tributary of the Daugava. Of its total length of 136 kilometres (85 mi), the first 116 kilometres (72 mi) are in Russia, and the rest in Belarus.[1] It joins the Daugava in the urban-type settlement of Surazh. The town of Demidov is situated on the Kasplya.

Kasplya
Native nameКаспля (Russian)
Location
CountryRussia, Belarus
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • coordinates54°59′N 31°38′E / 54.983°N 31.633°E / 54.983; 31.633
MouthDaugava (Western Dvina)
 • coordinates
55°24′31″N 30°43′07″E / 55.4086°N 30.7187°E / 55.4086; 30.7187
Length136 km (85 mi)[1]
Basin size5,410 km2 (2,090 sq mi)[2]
Discharge 
 • average36.9 m3/s (1,300 cu ft/s)[2]
Basin features
ProgressionDaugavaBaltic Sea

The Kasplya originates from Lake Kasplya in Smolensky District. It flows north, crosses the border with Demidovsky District and turns northwest. It flows through Demidov, and next to the selo of Boroda turns west, crosses Rudnyansky District and enters Belarus. There, it turns northwest again and enters the Daugava.

During the Viking Age, the river was an important part of the Dnieper trade route, as there was a portage from the Kasplya to the Dnieper tributaries entering the Dnieper near Gnezdovo.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Каспля" (in Russian). fishtour.by. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  2. ^ a b Каспля. Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ "Историческая справка" (in Russian). Kasplya Rural Settlement administration. Retrieved 3 February 2017.