Serpis

The Serpis, or Riu Serpis in Valencian, is a river in the Valencian Community of eastern Spain. Its source lies in the inland mountains, and it follows a southeastward course through agricultural and rural landscapes, passing through several municipalities in Valencia and Alicante provinces. The river ultimately reaches the Mediterranean Sea along the coast of the Valencian Community.

The Serpis basin forms part of the region’s hydrography and supports irrigation, municipal water supply, and local ecosystems. The flow is seasonal and influenced by rainfall and climate conditions; wetter years bring greater discharge while dry periods reduce flow, with some sections possible to run shallow or temporary in extreme drought. The lower stretches sustain riparian habitats and plant and animal communities typical of Mediterranean freshwater systems. Human activities, including irrigation channels and urban development, affect water quality and sediment dynamics in parts of the basin.

Historically, the Serpis valley has supported agriculture and settlement, with communities developing in part due to access to water from the river. In modern times, the river is subject to water-management policies and conservation efforts aimed at balancing agricultural needs, urban use, and ecological health.

Names and language: In Valencian, the river is called Riu Serpis. The Serpis is a relatively modest river by broader standards, but it plays a meaningful role in its regional landscape.