Bistrița (Siret)

Bistrița
Bistrița Moldoveană
The Bistrița at Piatra Neamț
Course of the Bistrița in Romania
Location
CountryRomania
CountiesBistrița-Năsăud, Suceava, Neamț, Bacău
TownsVatra Dornei, Piatra Neamț, Buhuși, Bacău
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationRodna Mountains
 • elevation1,649 m (5,410 ft)
MouthSiret
 • location
Galbeni
 • coordinates
46°29′28″N 26°59′13″E / 46.49111°N 26.98694°E / 46.49111; 26.98694
 • elevation
134 m (440 ft)
Length283 km (176 mi)
Basin size7,039 km2 (2,718 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average66 m3/s (2,300 cu ft/s)
Basin features
ProgressionSiretDanubeBlack Sea
Tributaries 
 • leftCracău
 • rightDorna, Bistricioara, Bicaz

The Bistrița (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈbistritsa] ), also called Bistrița Aurie or Bistrița Moldoveană (Hungarian: Aranyos-Beszterce), is a river in the Romanian regions of Maramureș, Bukovina and Moldavia (most of its length). It is a right tributary of the river Siret. At Chetriș, near Bacău, it flows into the Siret. Its source is in the Rodna Mountains, at the foot of the Gârgalău Peak. It flows through the counties Bistrița-Năsăud, Suceava, Neamț, and Bacău. The towns Vatra Dornei, Bicaz, Piatra Neamț, Roznov, Buhuși, and Bacău lie along the Bistrița. The Bistrița is 283 km (176 mi) long, and its basin area is 7,039 km2 (2,718 sq mi).

The upper reach is also known as Bistrița Aurie (German: Goldene Bistritz).

The following dams have been constructed on the river Bistrița: