The Eisack (, ; ; or ) is a

river A river is a natural stream of fresh water that flows on land or inside Subterranean river, caves towards another body of water at a lower elevation, such as an ocean, lake, or another river. A river may run dry before reaching the end of ...

in Northern

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

, the second largest river in

South Tyrol South Tyrol ( , ; ; ), officially the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, is an autonomous administrative division, autonomous provinces of Italy, province in northern Italy. Together with Trentino, South Tyrol forms the autonomo ...

. Its source is near the

Brenner Pass The Brenner Pass ( , shortly ; ) is a mountain pass over the Alps which forms the Austria-Italy border, border between Italy and Austria. It is one of the principal passes of the Alps, major passes of the Eastern Alpine range and has the lowes ...

, at an altitude of about 1990 m above

sea level Mean sea level (MSL, often shortened to sea level) is an mean, average surface level of one or more among Earth's coastal Body of water, bodies of water from which heights such as elevation may be measured. The global MSL is a type of vertical ...

. The river draws water from an area of about 4,200 km². After about 96 km, it joins the Adige river south of

Bolzano Bolzano ( ; ; or ) is the capital city of South Tyrol (officially the province of Bolzano), Northern Italy. With a population of 108,245, Bolzano is also by far the largest city in South Tyrol and the third largest in historical Tyrol. The ...

. At first the river flows through the Wipptal and after the village of Vahrn through the Eisacktal. Its source is sung of in the '' Bozner Bergsteigerlied'' as the northern frontier of the South Tyrolean homeland. The major towns and villages along the course of the river are Sterzing, Franzensfeste,

Brixen Brixen (; , ; or , ) is a town and communes of Italy, commune in South Tyrol, northern Italy, located about north of Bolzano. Geography Brixen is the third-largest city and oldest town in the province, with a population of nearly twenty-three t ...

, Klausen, Waidbruck and finally the capital city of the province. In

it merges with the Rienz. Several smaller creeks are tributaries, including the Ridnauner Bach, the Pflerscher Bach, the Pfitscher Bach, the Villnößer Bach, the

Derjon The Derjon (; ; ) is a stream in South Tyrol, Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the M ...

, the Braibach (also known as Tierser Bach), the Eggentaler Bach and the Talfer flowing from Sarntal. The Eisack is used extensively for the production of electricity; it is dammed near Franzensfeste, Klausen and Waidbruck.

External links

Eisack Water quality report
Rivers of South Tyrol Rivers of Italy {{Italy-river-stub