Bidasoa
Encyclopedia
The Bidasoa is a river in the Basque Country of northern Spain
and southern France
that runs largely south to north. Named as such downstream of the small town of Oronoz-Mugairi (municipality of Baztan
) in the province of Navarre
, the river actually results from the merge of several streams near the village Erratzu, with the stream Baztan
that rises at the north-eastern side of the mount Autza
(1,306 m) being considered the source of the Bidasoa. It joins the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay
) between the towns of Hendaye
and Hondarribia
.
The river is best known for establishing the borderline at its lower tract. This stretch is crossed not only by aircraft at low height but by important European communication axes, namely AP8 E5 E80 - E70 A63 (motorway, connection at the Biriatu toll), main roads N1 - N10 (connection at the roundabout of Saizar by the river) and major railways (connecting the RENFE
and SNCF
networks). Besides these major lines, other regional ones cross it too, e.g. regional railway EuskoTren
(terminus in Hendaye
) and another double bridge (pedestrians/vehicles) joining the towns on the border, i.e. the historical Santiago Bridge (Way of St. James
). At this stage of the river, urban landscape prevails (built-up area).
Before pouring its waters into the ocean, it forms a bay called Txingudi located between these towns and Irun
, the site being designated Wetland of International Importance in 2002, with a total area of 1.28 km2. The banks of Hondarribia
hold the minor San Sebastian Airport
serving domestic flights and currently mired in controversy over its lengthening and upgrading scheme.
, biðaˈsoa in Spanish
, and bidasoa in French
. Linguistic and historic research point to the name stemming from Latin
phrase "Via ad Oiasso" (later corrupting into Basque Bidasoa) on account of the road that linked at Roman times Basque town Pompaelo
with Oiasso
, which may have run along the river.
The Bidasoa flows through much of its 66 km length over Navarre
se territory, except for the last 10 km, where it establishes the borderline between France and Spain, as well as the boundary between the Basque
provinces of Gipuzkoa and Labourd
. In line with the distribution of the river's length, the bulk of its watershed's area lies on Navarre
(684 km2). The basin holds 105 permanent streams and rivers that number 497 km, the region being drenched in rains regularly. The Navarrese side of the basin (rural landscape) is inhabited by 22,000 inhabitants. 70% of its population have the sewage treated before spilling to the river.
But for the first 15-odd kilometres, the river clings to the north to south disposition of other neighbouring rivers of Gipuzkoa joining the Bay of Biscay
, e.g. Urumea
, Oria
, etc. Strengthened by the waters harvested from the sides of the pass of Belate, downstream of Doneztebe
the river heads north and crosses the town of Bera at the north end of Navarre before entering Gipuzkoa at Endarlatsa. From the town of Doneztebe on, the main road N-121 runs along till the roundabout across the river from the toll of Biriatu by the AP-8 (motorway). Next comes Behobia and the major towns on the shores of the estuary.
The main tributaries of the Bidasoa are the minor rivers Zeberia (length 10,80 km), Ezkurra
(20,90 km), Latsa (11,10 km) and Endara (9,90 km). Additionally, further small rivers and streams feed the Bidasoa all along.
The Navarrese tract of the river is a preferred destination for fishing enthusiasts, the river being home to several native fish species, namely eel
(Anguilla anguilla), salmon
(Salmo palar), trout
(Salmo trutta), bullhead
(Cottus gobio), Barbatula barbatula, Phoxinus phoxinus
, gudgeon
(Gobio lozanoi), sea lamprey
(Petromyzon marinus), allis shad
(Alosa alosa), flounder
(Platichthys flesus) and grey mullet (Chelon labrosus), some of them declared endangered species and highly interesting (especially bullhead and salmon). Moreover, a species of the Ebro
, i.e. Chondrostoma miegii
, has been introduced in the last 30–40 years on the lower tract of the Bidasoa, thereafter extending gradually upstream.
As a result, overfishing has become a major problem for the river's fauna, with special pressure put on salmon migrating upstream to spawn. They don't make it to their goal and die before spawning, either falling prey to fishers' bait or an inability to overcome hydroelectric power stations (128 over all the course) and the 114 related dams, since 63% of them prevent migratory fish from achieving their purpose. Schemes by the Regional Government of Navarre are underway with a view to handling the issue.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and southern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
that runs largely south to north. Named as such downstream of the small town of Oronoz-Mugairi (municipality of Baztan
Baztan
Baztan is a municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It is located from Pamplona, the capital of Navarre. It is the largest municipality in Navarre, with some 376.8 km2 and just over 8,000 inhabitants....
) in the province of Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
, the river actually results from the merge of several streams near the village Erratzu, with the stream Baztan
Baztan
Baztan is a municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. It is located from Pamplona, the capital of Navarre. It is the largest municipality in Navarre, with some 376.8 km2 and just over 8,000 inhabitants....
that rises at the north-eastern side of the mount Autza
Hautza
The Hautza or Autza, is a mountain on the Spanish side of the border in the Basque Country. It is located between Elizondo in Baztan and Saint-Étienne-de-Baïgorry .-Geography:...
(1,306 m) being considered the source of the Bidasoa. It joins the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
) between the towns of Hendaye
Hendaye
Hendaye is the most south-westerly town and commune in France, lying in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department and located in the traditional province Lapurdi of the French Basque Country...
and Hondarribia
Hondarribia
Hondarribia is a town situated on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth, in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. The border town is sited on a little promontory facing Hendaye over the Txingudi bay. The town holds an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle...
.
RENFE
Renfe Operadora is the state-owned company which operates freight and passenger trains on the 1668-mm "Iberian gauge" and 1435-mm "European gauge" networks of the Spanish national railway infrastructure company ADIF .- History :The name RENFE is derived from that of the former Spanish National...
and SNCF
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
networks). Besides these major lines, other regional ones cross it too, e.g. regional railway EuskoTren
EuskoTren
EuskoTren is a commuter rail service which operates in the Basque Country provinces of Biscay and Gipuzkoa. It is one of the three commercial brands of the public society owned by the Basque Government, Eusko Trenbideak - Ferrocarriles Vascos...
(terminus in Hendaye
Hendaye
Hendaye is the most south-westerly town and commune in France, lying in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department and located in the traditional province Lapurdi of the French Basque Country...
) and another double bridge (pedestrians/vehicles) joining the towns on the border, i.e. the historical Santiago Bridge (Way of St. James
Way of St. James (route descriptions)
The Way of St. James extends from all corners of Europe, and even North Africa, on its way to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre.The local authorities try to restore many of the ancient routes, even those used in a limited period, in the interest of tourism....
). At this stage of the river, urban landscape prevails (built-up area).
Before pouring its waters into the ocean, it forms a bay called Txingudi located between these towns and Irun
Irun
Irun is a town of the Bidasoa-Txingudi region in the province of Gipuzkoa in the Basque Autonomous Community, Spain...
, the site being designated Wetland of International Importance in 2002, with a total area of 1.28 km2. The banks of Hondarribia
Hondarribia
Hondarribia is a town situated on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth, in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. The border town is sited on a little promontory facing Hendaye over the Txingudi bay. The town holds an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle...
hold the minor San Sebastian Airport
San Sebastián Airport
San Sebastián Airport is the airport serving San Sebastián in Basque Country, Spain. Despite its name, the facilities are located in the municipality of Hondarribia, with the runway stretching like a spit of land along the river Bidasoa right on the Spanish-French border.The airport serves...
serving domestic flights and currently mired in controversy over its lengthening and upgrading scheme.
Pronunciation and etymology
The river comprises an area of linguistic contact, so it is pronounced differently depending on the language, namely biˈdas̺oa in BasqueBasque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
, biðaˈsoa in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, and bidasoa in French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
. Linguistic and historic research point to the name stemming from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase "Via ad Oiasso" (later corrupting into Basque Bidasoa) on account of the road that linked at Roman times Basque town Pompaelo
Pamplona
Pamplona is the historial capital city of Navarre, in Spain, and of the former kingdom of Navarre.The city is famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions...
with Oiasso
Oiasso
Oiasso, Oiasona or Oiarso was a Basque Roman town located on the left bank of the Bidasoa estuary in the Bay of Biscay . Archaeological evidence unearthed recently pinpoints the core area of Oiasso in the old quarter of Irun by the Spanish-French border, where harbour and bath remains have been...
, which may have run along the river.
Course of the river and tributaries
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
se territory, except for the last 10 km, where it establishes the borderline between France and Spain, as well as the boundary between the Basque
Basque Country (historical territory)
The Basque Country is the name given to the home of the Basque people in the western Pyrenees that spans the border between France and Spain on the Atlantic coast....
provinces of Gipuzkoa and Labourd
Labourd
Labourd is a former French province and part of the present-day Pyrénées Atlantiques département. It is historically one of the seven provinces of the traditional Basque Country....
. In line with the distribution of the river's length, the bulk of its watershed's area lies on Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
(684 km2). The basin holds 105 permanent streams and rivers that number 497 km, the region being drenched in rains regularly. The Navarrese side of the basin (rural landscape) is inhabited by 22,000 inhabitants. 70% of its population have the sewage treated before spilling to the river.
But for the first 15-odd kilometres, the river clings to the north to south disposition of other neighbouring rivers of Gipuzkoa joining the Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
, e.g. Urumea
Urumea
The Urumea a" 'thin') is a river in the Basque Country at the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It's one of a series of Basque rivers flowing into the Bay of Biscay and best known for being the river flowing to the sea on the city of San Sebastian...
, Oria
Oria River
The Oria is a river in the Basque Country at the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It's one of a series of Basque rivers flowing into the Bay of Biscay and the main river of the province Gipuzkoa in volume , length and basin , the main feature of these rivers aligned south to north being their...
, etc. Strengthened by the waters harvested from the sides of the pass of Belate, downstream of Doneztebe
Doneztebe
Doneztebe-Santesteban is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
the river heads north and crosses the town of Bera at the north end of Navarre before entering Gipuzkoa at Endarlatsa. From the town of Doneztebe on, the main road N-121 runs along till the roundabout across the river from the toll of Biriatu by the AP-8 (motorway). Next comes Behobia and the major towns on the shores of the estuary.
The main tributaries of the Bidasoa are the minor rivers Zeberia (length 10,80 km), Ezkurra
Ezkurra
Ezkurra is a town and municipality located in the province and autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain. The town's name is from the Basque language of the locals.-External links:*...
(20,90 km), Latsa (11,10 km) and Endara (9,90 km). Additionally, further small rivers and streams feed the Bidasoa all along.
Fishing and environmental challenges
Eel
Eels are an order of fish, which consists of four suborders, 20 families, 111 genera and approximately 800 species. Most eels are predators...
(Anguilla anguilla), salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
(Salmo palar), trout
Brown trout
The brown trout and the sea trout are fish of the same species....
(Salmo trutta), bullhead
European bullhead
The bullhead is a freshwater fish that is widely distributed in Europe, mainly in rivers. It is a member of the Cottidae family, a type of sculpin...
(Cottus gobio), Barbatula barbatula, Phoxinus phoxinus
Eurasian minnow
The Common minnow is a species offreshwater fish. It is a member of the carpfamily oforder Cypriniformes, and is the type species ofgenus Phoxinus. It is ubiquitous throughout much of Eurasia,...
, gudgeon
Gudgeon (fish)
Gudgeon is a common name for a number of small freshwater fishes of the families Cyprinidae, Eleotridae or Ptereleotridae. Most gudgeons are elongate, bottom-dwelling fish, many of which live in rapids and other fast moving water....
(Gobio lozanoi), sea lamprey
Sea lamprey
The sea lamprey is a parasitic lamprey found on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America, in the western Mediterranean Sea, and in the Great Lakes. It is brown, gray, or black on its back and white or gray on the underside and can grow up to 90 cm long. Sea lampreys prey on a wide...
(Petromyzon marinus), allis shad
Allis shad
The allis shad is a species of fish in the Clupeidae family.-Location:It is found in Algeria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.-Biology and...
(Alosa alosa), flounder
Flounder
The flounder is an ocean-dwelling flatfish species that is found in coastal lagoons and estuaries of the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.-Taxonomy:There are a number of geographical and taxonomical species to which flounder belong.*Western Atlantic...
(Platichthys flesus) and grey mullet (Chelon labrosus), some of them declared endangered species and highly interesting (especially bullhead and salmon). Moreover, a species of the Ebro
Ebro
The Ebro or Ebre is one of the most important rivers in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the biggest river by discharge volume in Spain.The Ebro flows through the following cities:*Reinosa in Cantabria.*Miranda de Ebro in Castile and León....
, i.e. Chondrostoma miegii
Chondrostoma miegii
Parachondrostoma miegii is a species of cyprinid fish endemic to Spain.Its natural habitat is rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* Crivelli, A.J. 2005. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, has been introduced in the last 30–40 years on the lower tract of the Bidasoa, thereafter extending gradually upstream.
As a result, overfishing has become a major problem for the river's fauna, with special pressure put on salmon migrating upstream to spawn. They don't make it to their goal and die before spawning, either falling prey to fishers' bait or an inability to overcome hydroelectric power stations (128 over all the course) and the 114 related dams, since 63% of them prevent migratory fish from achieving their purpose. Schemes by the Regional Government of Navarre are underway with a view to handling the issue.
See also
- List of rivers of Spain
- Île des Faisans
- Battle of the Bidassoa (1813)Battle of the Bidassoa (1813)In the Battle of the Bidassoa on 7 October 1813 the Allied army of Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Wellington wrested a foothold on French soil from Nicolas Soult's French army. The Allied troops overran the French lines behind the Bidassoa River on the coast and along the Pyrenees crest between the...
- Bidasoa-Txingudi