Salzach

Salzach
Salzach in Salzburg, Austria
Country	Austria, Germany
Basin features
Main source	Kitzbühel Alps
River mouth	Inn 48°12′24″N 12°55′46″E / 48.20667°N 12.92944°E / 48.20667; 12.92944Coordinates: 48°12′24″N 12°55′46″E / 48.20667°N 12.92944°E / 48.20667; 12.92944
Basin size	6,700 km2 (2,600 sq mi)
Physical characteristics
Length	225 km (140 mi)
Discharge	Average rate: 251 m3/s (8,900 cu ft/s)

The Salzach is a river in Austria and Germany. It is a right tributary of the Inn and is 225 kilometres (140 mi) in length, its flow eventually joins the Danube. Its drainage basin comprises large parts of the Northern Limestone and Central Eastern Alps.

The river's name is derived from the German word Salz, meaning salt. Until the 19th century, shipping of salt down the Salza was an important part of the local economy. The shipping ended when the parallel Salzburg-Tyrol Railway line replaced the old transport system.

The Salzach is the main river in the Austrian state of Salzburg. The source is located on the edge of the Kitzbühel Alps near Krimml in the western Pinzgau region. Its headstreams drain several alpine pastures at around 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) above sea level, between Krimml and the Tyrolean state border, 3–5 km north of the Gerlos Pass on the slopes of the Salzachgeier (2,466 m (AA)) and the nearby Schwebenkopf peak (2,354 m).

From here, it runs eastwards through a large valley via Bruck south of Lake Zell to Schwarzach im Pongau. It then turns northwards, passes Sankt Johann im Pongau, flows in-between the Berchtesgaden Alps and the Tennen Mountains to Hallein and the city of Salzburg.