Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which rivers bring large amounts of freshwater into the Baltic Sea?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the English Channel.
The Baltic Sea receives significant freshwater input from several major rivers, which contribute to its relatively low salinity levels. Among the most prominent are the Vistula and the Oder, both of which drain regions characterized by a temperate continental climate.1
Additionally, the Neman River (Nemunas) serves as a major drainage source for the Baltic region, flowing through Lithuania with the slow, meandering characteristics typical of lowland rivers. These rivers, along with general surface runoff and spring snowmelt, play a critical role in the hydrology of the Baltic Sea, causing a constant outflow of surface water into the North Sea.21