The Bega Veche (also known as Beregsău, Serbian Стари Бегеј Stari Begej) is a left‑hand tributary of the Bega River, flowing through western Romania and northern Serbia.
Geography
- Countries: Romania and Serbia
- Administrative units: Timiș County (Romania); Vojvodina Province (Serbia)
- Length: 107 km (66 mi) in Romania; the total length, including the Serbian portion, is not separately specified.
- Drainage basin: 2 108 km² (814 sq mi)
Course
The river originates in the Banat plain of Romania, where it follows the former natural channel of the Bega. It drains the area north of the city of Timișoara and passes through the Romanian villages of Comeat, Bogda, Fibiș, Pișchia, Sânandrei, Săcălaz, Cenei, among others. After crossing the Romania‑Serbia border, it continues through the Serbian localities of Hetin and Banatski Dvor, before discharging into the canalised section of the Bega near the city of Zrenjanin.
Hydrology
The Bega Veche is part of a heavily modified river system. Extensive channelisation began in the 18th century and has continued into the modern era, integrating the river into the regional drainage network of the Banat plain.
Tributaries (listed downstream)
- Left: Băcin, and smaller streams such as Buzad, Hamoș, Honoș, Șumanda, Valea Dosului.
- Right: Măgheruș, Pârâul Lacului, Apa Mare, and the stream Sintar.
Environmental and Economic Significance
The river’s course through agricultural lowlands makes it a component of flood‑control and irrigation infrastructure. Its channelised sections facilitate drainage of the surrounding plains, contributing to the management of water resources in the region.
References
- Wikipedia, “Bega Veche,” accessed via a public archive.
- National Water Administration of Romania, “Planul național de management,” 2010.
- Atlasul cadastrului apelor din România, Ministry of Environment, 1992.
