The River Bērze, the left tributary of the River Svēte, begins in the marshy meadows at the Lake Lielauce. Its total length is 109 km, width – 1180 km2, and drop – 108 m. From the right bank of the River Bērze, the stream brings the waters of the Lake Zebrus. The Rivers Sesava, Ālave, and Auce empty into the River Bērze on the right side but the Rivers Mazā Bērzīte and Bikstupe – on the left side. In earlier times, the River Bērze emptied directly into the River Lielupe, but in 19th century a channel was dug to connect the River Bērze with the River Svēte. Since the ancient times, the power of the water of the River Bērze has been used to operate mills. In 1999, the SIA Dobeles HES commenced construction of a small hydroelectric power plant on the River Bērze at the dam, across the factory Spodrība. The last reconstruction of the dam took place relatively recently – in 2004, as its level was increased by 0.5 metres. By implementing projects in Dobele city, both banks of the river have been improved.
