Vilija

a river in the Byelorussian SSR and Lithuanian SSR (where it is called the Neris River), right tributary of the Nemunas (Neman). It is 510 km long and has a basin area of 25,100 km2. The Vilija has its source among the swamps north of Minsk. In its upper reaches it flows through swampy areas in a weakly developed valley; in the central and lower portions of the river the valley has high slopes. There are rapids along the river’s course. Its main tributary is the Sventoji (right). The river is fed by mixed sources. It freezes in December and thaws in March. Sections of the river are navigable. The cities of Vilnius and Kaunas are located along the Vilija, the latter at the mouth. In 1971 a reservoir was begun on the river above the city of Vileyka to supply water for Minsk.