Elva, Estonia

River Elva is the right side upriver affluent of River Emajõgi. Its source is in Põlva county, most of its upstream part and upper part of midstream in Valga county and lower part of midstream and downstream portion in Tartu county. River Elva starts from the northwest corner of Lake Valgjärve as Tamme stream that is only 0,5m wide. Up- and midstream densely populated cultivated grounds vary with forested areas. Downstream the river mainly passes through scarcely populated boggy areas of the valley of Lake Võrtsjärve. In 1930s, there were watermills at Tamme, Kastolatsi village at Loodi, Elva village, Hellenurme municipality, Mäelooga village at Antoni, Rundsu (Oldi mill), Peedu, Tõravere and Mosina. The map of L. A. Mellin (1796) places watermills at Neeruti manor, Peedu (2 mills) and Tõravere. The river is 72km long, its 456km² drainage basin is long and narrow, stretched out from south to north and with a sparse river network. From Hellenurme, River Elva flows in an old sunken ancient valley. The fall of the river is steep – 144,3m. Average fall 2 m/km is spread unevenly across the river: biggest fall is at the upstream section, downstream it is only 0,03 m/km. From the former Mosina mill dam, downstream, lies a 1,2-1,5 km wide flooded meadow. North of Lake Karijärve the meadow becomes wider, up to 2-3 km and the river passes through two-part Lake Keeri. The river passes through flooded meadows and flat valleys. Boats hire operators:
Ahja Matkad OÜ (Canoe) (+372) 5836 9804 [email protected]
Loodusturism OÜ (Canoe/Kayak) (+372) 5272701 [email protected]
Seiklusmatkaklubi Toonus Pluss (Canoe) (+372) 505 5702 [email protected]
Veetee (Inflatable/Canoe) (+372) 5060987 [email protected]