Isel#

Isel, River, Tirol, northern tributary of the Drau/Drava in East Tirol. The Isel rises south of Umbalkees glacier (Rosshut, 3,199 m), flows through the valleys Umbaltal, Virgental and, after a 90° turn at Matrei, Isel Valley, and flows into the Drau river at Lienz (673 m). Just above the mouth of the Isel, the average rate of flow is 39 m3/second. After the River Drau, the Isel and its tributaries constitute the most important body of running water in East Tirol; the Tauernbach and Kalser Bach streams from the north and the River Schwarzach from the west form its main tributaries. The Isel Valley is flanked by the Deferegger Mountains in the west and by the Schobergruppe mountains in the east. The valleys along the river, with the principal villages Praegraten (1,309 m), Virgen (1,187 m) and Matrei in Osttirol (975 m), are some of the most popular tourist regions in the Austrian Alps (mountain tours). The Umbalfaelle water falls on the upper part of the Isel form a particular tourist attraction. The smaller valleys (Tauerntal, Kalser Tal and Defereggental) fan out from the main Isel valley.