Bega River, Timisoara

The Bega River originates from the Poiana Ruscă Mountains and receives two main tributaries: the Bega Luncani and the Bega Poieni. After the 1716 victory of Habsburg troops, efforts to regulate waters, including the Bega River, began in the previously marshy Timișoara area. This included the construction of the Bega Canal, initiated in 1728, which became Romania's first navigable canal, spanning 116 kilometers, with 44 kilometers in Romania and 72 kilometers in Serbia.

The Bega Canal was vital for the transport of goods, especially flour and cereals, between Timișoara and other towns in Banat, as well as for connections with other European cities. In the 1930s, up to 700 thousand tons of goods were transported on the Bega, and passenger transport reached a peak of 500,000 in 1944, with regular services until 1966.

Despite its importance, the water level in the Bega Canal was often unstable, sometimes causing devastating floods. To manage these issues, a hydraulic node was built in 1758, allowing the transfer of flow between the Bega and Timiș rivers. This system, which still operates today, is a technical monument over 250 years old.

In recent years, between 2011 and 2016, dredging and bank consolidation works were carried out along the entire course of the Bega in Timișoara, including the creation of pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. Since August 2018, passenger boats have been operating on the Bega as part of a public transport service between the Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Modos Bridge during the warm season.

Today, the Bega River is a vital artery of Timișoara, offering recreational spaces and cultural events, such as the Bega Boulevard festival, which highlights the importance and potential of the river.