Motława
| Motława River | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Poland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Szpęgawskie Południowe Lake |
| Mouth | |
• location | Martwa Wisła |
• coordinates | 54°21′36″N 18°39′51″E / 54.36000°N 18.66417°E |
| Length | 68 km (42 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Martwa Wisła→ Baltic Sea |
The Motława (German: Mottlau; Kashubian: Mòtława) is a river in Eastern Pomerania in Poland. Its source is in Szpęgawskie Lake, northeast from the town of Starogard Gdański. The Motlawa goes through Rokickie Lake to Martwa Wisła, a branch of the Vistula. The total length of the river is estimated at 68 km, and its drainage basin is 1511.3 km2.
The city of Gdańsk is situated at its mouth in the Martwa Wisła. In Gdańsk, the Motława ferry crosses the river, a service that has run since the year 1687.
The Polish name Motława is derived from Old Prussian language. In German the river is known as Mottlau.
A common theory for the etymology of the cities Gdańsk and Gdynia is that they are named after an older Polish and Kashubian name for the river, Gdania.