Ramena řeky Moravy

Ramena řeky Moravy is a national nature reserve protecting a lowland stretch of the Morava River between the towns of Litovel and Horka nad Moravou, within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area in the Olomouc Region. The nearby village of Lhota nad Moravou, less than two kilometres from the reserve's boundary, makes a convenient starting point for a visit.

Why was this area protected?

The reserve was established in 1990 to safeguard an unusually well-preserved, natural lowland river landscape. Here the Morava winds through a series of meanders, splitting into multiple channels and forming islands, while numerous oxbow lakes — former river bends cut off from the main flow — gradually turn into marshy pools and wetlands. This mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats is what gives the reserve its ecological value. The protected area covers more than 71 hectares.

What does the landscape look like on site?

Beyond the river itself and its side branches, the reserve also includes the forest and non-forest ecosystems that border the channel. Riverside forests and thickets typical of large Central European lowland river valleys grow along the banks, while slower-moving stretches and oxbows support aquatic and reed vegetation. This variety of habitats gives the area a distinctly different character through the seasons — lush bankside growth in spring and summer, and more exposed winding channels and islands once the vegetation dies back in autumn and winter.

What species live here?

The reserve serves as a refuge for plants and animals tied to aquatic and wetland environments, including a number of legally protected species. The combination of oxbows, islands and riverside thickets provides nesting and feeding grounds for water-associated birds, while the calmer sections of the river and its branches offer habitat for fish and amphibians. The presence of oxbow lakes in various stages of overgrowth also supports a rich community of aquatic invertebrates.

Who manages the reserve and why does it matter?

The site falls under the care of the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR), specifically the administration of the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area, within which the entire reserve lies. It is regarded as a model example of how a lowland river develops naturally under Central European conditions — a place where erosion, sedimentation and channel migration can continue largely undisturbed by human activity.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the reserve located? Between the town of Litovel and the village of Horka nad Moravou, in the Olomouc Region, within the Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area.

Can it be reached from Lhota nad Moravou? Yes, the village lies close to the reserve, less than two kilometres away, making it a practical base for exploring the area.

Since when has the area been protected? It was granted protected status in 1990.

What is the main natural attraction here? The naturally meandering river course with its oxbow lakes, islands and branching channels — a rare sight in such a well-preserved form in Central Europe.

How large is the reserve? It covers more than 71 hectares along the lowland stretch of the Morava River.