Béthune (river)

Béthune
Map
Location
CountryFrance
RegionNormandy
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationGaillefontaine
 • elevation160 m (520 ft)
Mouth 
 • location
Arques
 • coordinates
49°53′29″N 1°7′51″E / 49.89139°N 1.13083°E / 49.89139; 1.13083
Length61 km (38 mi)
Basin size307 km2 (119 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average2.9 m3/s (100 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionArquesEnglish Channel

The Béthune (French pronunciation: [betyn] ) is a river of Normandy, France, 61 kilometres (38 mi) in length, flowing through the department of Seine-Maritime and it is a tributary of the Arques. However, Sandre, the regulators of France's national Water Information System, consider the Béthune to be the upper part of the Arques.[1]

Geography

Arques and Béthune drainage basin

The river's source is at the village of Gaillefontaine near to Forges-les-Eaux. Its valley is wholly within the pays de Bray. Its course takes it past the communes of Neufchâtel-en-Bray, Mesnières-en-Bray, Bures-en-Bray, Osmoy-Saint-Valery, Saint-Vaast-d'Équiqueville, Dampierre-Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf and finally Arques-la-Bataille where it joins the rivers Eaulne and Varenne to form the Arques.

Like other rivers in the region, the Béthune is classified as a first class river, offering anglers the chance to catch salmon and trout.

See also

References

  1. ^ Sandre. "Fiche cours d'eau - L'Arques (G2--0200)".