Vepr

The Wieprza River is a 140.3-kilometer-long waterway located in the South Baltic Coastland, with a drainage basin covering an area of 2,172.7 km². It originates at an altitude of 170 meters above sea level from Lake Kołoleż in the Miastko municipality and flows into the Baltic Sea at Darłówko. Along its course, it passes through several lakes, including Białe Jezioro and Jezioro Wałdowskie. The river flows past towns such as Kępice, Sławno, and Darłowo. Near its mouth, the Wieprza forms the harbor basin of the Darłowo seaport, and a 95-kilometer stretch of the river is navigable by kayak. Water quality assessments conducted in 2010 showed favorable bio- and physicochemical results. However, heavy metals such as zinc and lead are carried by the river into the Baltic Sea. The Wieprza and Studnica Valley area, part of the Natura 2000 network, has been placed under protection, with fishing bans enforced during specific periods to conserve fish populations. It is worth noting that the Wieprza River is not related to another Polish river named Wieprz, which is a tributary of the Vistula. The name "Wieprza" was officially established in 1948; prior to that, until 1945, it was known as Wipper in Germany. The river and its surroundings form a significant part of the region's natural and cultural heritage, making it both an ecological sanctuary and a popular tourist destination.