Seille (Moselle)
Seille | |
---|---|
![]() The Seille at Vic-sur-Seille | |
![]() | |
Location | |
Country | France |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | |
• location | Azoudange, Moselle |
Mouth | |
• location | Moselle |
• coordinates | 49°7′32″N 6°11′8″E / 49.12556°N 6.18556°E |
Length | 138 km (86 mi) |
Basin size | 1,348 km2 (520 sq mi) |
Discharge | |
• average | 10.5 m3/s (370 cu ft/s) |
Basin features | |
Progression | Moselle→ Rhine→ North Sea |
The Seille (French pronunciation: .
It originates near Azoudange, in the department of Moselle. Leaving the Lindre lake, it skirts the town of Dieuze, and traverses Vic-sur-Seille and Nomeny, before flowing into the Moselle at Metz. It is 138 km long,[1] and has a basin area of 1348 km2. Most of its length is in the department of Moselle, except for the part between Aulnois-sur-Seille and Cheminot, which is in Meurthe-et-Moselle. The Seille also forms the border between Moselle and Meurthe-et-Moselle from Chambrey to Aulnois-sur-Seille.
Upstream
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Marsalruisseau.jpg/250px-Marsalruisseau.jpg)
Originating in the Pond region, the Seille then crosses the
Its linear course and the treelessness of its banks makes it of little interest to the landscape, and today the erosion of its banks poses problems. Despite this, the valley is of
As of 2004[update], work is being done on the river: the banks of the river are being
The Seille has a number of tributaries, the most important of which are:
- the Spin and the Verbach, in Dieuze (right bank)
- the ruisseau de Videlange (lit. "brook of Videlange"), near Mulcey (right bank)
- the Nard, in Marsal (left bank)
- the Petite Seille (lit. "Small Seille"), in Salonnes (right bank)
- the Loutre Noire (lit. "Black Otter"), in Moncel-sur-Seille (left bank)
Downstream
Downstream, the Seille is much less straight, following a contorted path along the border of the department of Moselle.
This section of the river has comparatively few tributaries:
- the Osson, at Ajoncourt
- the ruisseau Saint-Jean (lit. "St. John brook"), in Létricourt (right bank)
- the ruisseau Saint-Pierre (lit. "St. Peter brook")
Finally, in Metz, after passing the Porte des Allemands (a 13th-century castle, lit. "Gate of the Germans"), it flows into the right bank of the Moselle.
Flora and fauna
The river is classified as "Category II" (categories are based on types of fish), and is the habitat for a very large variety of fish. It is also home to a variety of other animals, such as otters, herons, and caterpillars. The Seille suffers from eutrophication.
Toponymy
Numerous towns and villages incorporate the name of the river. Some examples include: Aboncourt-sur-Seille, Aulnois-sur-Seille, Bey-sur-Seille, Brin-sur-Seille, Coin-sur-Seille, Haraucourt-sur-Seille, Mailly-sur-Seille, Malaucourt-sur-Seille, Moncel-sur-Seille, Morville-sur-Seille, Port-sur-Seille, and Vic-sur-Seille. The suffix "sur-Seille" means "on the Seille" in French, and the practice is analogous to the English place names that incorporate river names, such as Newcastle upon Tyne.