P120 road bridge - Mezvalde

Photo: Riežupe hub in high water

Location: Right bank affluent of Venta between Kuldīga and Padure. Section after junction with it's left bank affluent Veldze is sometimes entitled Liekne;

It is worth to go by this river from Kandava – Kuldiga highroad bridge till Mežvalde bridge. River is  prtty swift all through the route (slope 2 – 7 m/km). Wind fallen wood piles are average. Width of the river 5-6 m.

After 3 km from left bank into Riežupe falls affluent – Veldze creek. 400 m up by creek there is small hub (photo on the right), passable by boat in high water, if you are hardworking enough to carry the boat.

After junction amount of water in Riežupe doubles. About 200 m from junction there is Riežupe hub – waterfall – approx. 0,7 m high, vertical.

Downstream the waterfall rapids go on for approx. 1 km, then until Mežvalde road bridge rapids are not so common. On riverside scanty dolomite outcrops. Few creeks fall into Riežupe.

Overall duration of route – 1 h or more, depending on amount of portages.

Places to see. Riežupe hub (0,7 m), Veldze hub (0,8 m). If you continue route till Venta, there is an option to step out and visit Riežupe sand caves, however this worthless business project consists of man made sand cave imitations. Thus it's not clear why it has to be considered as tourism object.