Havel

River in eastern Germany; length 346 km/215 mi. The Havel rises in a small lake 9 km/6 mi northwest of Neustrelitz. It flows south to Berlin and then west past Potsdam and Rathenow to join the Elbe 29 km/18 mi southeast of Wittenberg. To the west of Berlin the Havel passes through a series of lakes, one of which bears the river's name. At this point it is also joined by the River Spree; via the Oder–Spree Canal, traffic from the Havel can reach the River Oder on Germany's border with Poland.