Rivers of the Arkhangelsk region: names, description, photo

2023 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 12:05

The hydrographic network of the Arkhangelsk region is represented by numerous lakes and rivers, an abundance of underground springs and swamps. In the article, we will consider the rivers of the Arkhangelsk region: names, brief descriptions.

Geographic location of the region

The Arkhangelsk region occupies the central part of the European North. In the east, it borders on the Tyumen region and the Komi Republic, in the west - on Karelia, and in the south - on the Kirov and Vologda regions. The area of the entire territory is 587.3 thousand square meters. kilometers.

The region is located in the forest-tundra, tundra and taiga natural zones.

Hydrography

The peculiarity of the region is its vast territory and the presence of a dense network of lakes and rivers. Almost all the rivers of the Arkhangelsk region (not counting the Ileksa and some neighboring ones) are located on the territory of the Arctic Ocean basin. In the western part there is a watershed between the basins of two oceans - the Atlantic and the NorthArctic.

The region is also rich in lakes. There are 2.5 thousand of them in total, and there are especially many of them in the Onega River basin and in the north-east of the region. The largest lakes are Kenozero, Lacha and Kozhozero.

It should be noted that in the water area of the White Sea, which is adjacent to the shores of the region, the collection of algae is quite widely developed. There are about 194 species here. Also, recreational and commercial fishing is practiced in river and sea waters. Such valuable species of fish as pink salmon and salmon, sterlet and many others are common here. others

As noted above, rather strong swampiness and large volumes of surface water are a typical phenomenon for the region. Excess water stagnates in depressions and, saturating the soil, flows into the sea in many small and large rivers.

Rivers

How many rivers are there in the Arkhangelsk region? The water resources of this vast region are rich and unique. The total length of small and large rivers is 275 thousand km. Their number is 70 thousand.

Mostly rivers have a calm flow, and rapids are found only in the western part of the region. They are fed by melting snow during the spring flood. In winter, the thickness of the ice reaches up to 1.2-2 meters. The entire river system is characterized by multi-branching and the presence of large bends in the channel. The largest rivers: Onega, Pechora, Northern Dvina, Piket, Mezen. The following bodies of water are navigable: Vychegda, Onega, Vaga, Mezen, Northern Dvina and Yemtsa.

Navigation on the rivers of the Arkhangelsk region is possible only during5-6 months a year, and it starts in May.

Brief description of the most significant rivers

Interesting facts:

1. The Northern Dvina is the largest river in the region. The volume of annual flow is 110 billion cubic meters. m. The length of the river is 744 kilometers. The entire length of the Northern Dvina is navigable. The hydrographic system of the river has about 600 rivers.
2. The Vychegda River is a tributary of the Northern Dvina. It originates in the Komi Republic (the length of the upper reaches is 870 km). It flows through the territory of the Arkhangelsk region for 226 km. The annual flow is 30 billion cubic meters. meters, of which 60% falls during the spring flood.
3. The Onega River originates from the lake. Lacha. The length is 416 kilometers, the annual flow is 16 billion cubic meters. meters. The river flows into the Onega Bay of the White Sea. The nature of the flow is rapids.
4. The Mezen River is a river in the Arkhangelsk region, originating in the Komi Republic. The length is 966 km, the annual flow is 28 billion cubic meters. meters. It flows into the Mezensky Gulf. The river is not navigable along its entire length.

Further in more detail about the two tributaries of the Northern Dvina River.

Vaga River

The river of the Arkhangelsk region, which also flows through the territory of the Vologda region, is a major tributary of the Northern Dvina. It originates in the form of a small swampy stream in the north of the Vologda region. The surrounding area is covered with coniferous forests and swamps. Almost along its entire length, except for 30 kilometers of the upper reaches, an automobile road runs along the left bank.highway M-8 direction "Vologda - Arkhangelsk".

The length of the Vaga River in the Arkhangelsk Region is 575 km. Food is mixed: rain, snow and tributary waters. The largest right tributaries: Kuloy, Sherenga, Termenga, Mouth. Left-sided: Puya, Vel, Ice, Nelenga, Syuma, Padenga, Pezhma, Bolshaya Churga. In summer, the river becomes very shallow, and during the spring flood it becomes full of water. Previously, this non-navigable body of water was raftable.

The largest settlements: the cities of Shenkursk and Velsk, the village of Verkhovazhye. At the site where the river flows into the Northern Dvina, there is the village of Shidrovo.

Emtsa River, Arkhangelsk Region

And this river is a tributary of the Northern Dvina (left). Its path runs through the territories of the Plesetsk and Kholmogorsk districts, as well as the urban district of Mirny. The source of the Yemtsy is located four kilometers from the banks of the Onega in the region of its watershed with the Northern Dvina River. It's quite a swampy place.

The upper reaches are characterized by a fast current with multiple rapids. The width is no more than 30 meters. In the middle reaches, it gradually expands, and the lower reaches begin at the confluence of the largest tributary of the Yemtsy, the Mekhrenga. It should be noted that the tributary is richer in water and longer than the Yemtsy (almost twice). The lower course is densely populated (more than 20 villages over 68 km). The largest village is Yemetsk. Karst is highly developed in the river basin, and the water is very mineralized. The river is navigable in spring and summer.

Some interestingfacts

The Yemtsy River in the Arkhangelsk region is fed by many springs, so it does not freeze in its upper reaches. In addition, the Yemtsa is one of the rivers in the world (there are two in total) where there is no ice drift, although, in fact, it should be due to its geographical position. Instead of ice drift in the lower reaches at the end of April, rotating funnels appear, around which the ice begins to gradually melt. Until now, the nature of such a phenomenon among scientists is controversial.