The Meghri (Armenian: Մեղրի, also known as the Meghriget) is a tributary of the Aras River in the Syunik Province of southern Armenia. It descends steeply through the province, stretching 36 kilometres (22 mi) in length from its headwaters at Blue Lake to its confluence with the Aras south of the town of Meghri.
| Meghri Meghriget | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Native name | Մեղրի |
| Location | |
| Country | Armenia |
| Province | Syunik |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Blue Lake |
| • elevation | 3,250 m (10,660 ft) |
| Mouth | Aras |
• location | Meghri |
• elevation | 380 m (1,250 ft) |
| Length | 36 km (22 mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 3.53 m3 (125 cu ft) |
Geography
editThe Meghri is a river in Syunik Province, Armenia. It measures 36 kilometres (22 mi) in length. It descends sharply over its course, from 3,250 metres (10,660 ft) above sea level at its headwaters at Blue Lake, to an altitude of 380 metres (1,250 ft) at its confluence with the Aras.[1][2]
The river's catchment area totals 336 square kilometres (130 sq mi). It has an average discharge of 3.53 cubic metres (125 cu ft) per second, although this can increase dramatically during periods of flooding, up to a recorded high of 87.5 cubic metres (3,090 cu ft) in March 1956.[3]
A portion of the upper Meghri is within Arevik National Park.[2] The Meghri valley is the hottest and driest region in Armenia.[4]
Flora and fauna
editDue to its geographical separation from the rest of Armenia, several species of plants that grow within the Meghri basin are not found elsewhere in the country. It displays strong similarities with the flora of adjacent regions within Iran.[5]
The Eurasian otter is found in the Meghri river basin. Endangered in Armenia, Otter populations have seen some recovery in the basin, where they frequently steal fish and pose a nuisance to aquaculture. However, lower water levels from the instillation of hydroelectric stations has caused many to migrate to the Aras itself.[6]
References
edit- ^ ArmStat 2021a, p. 10.
- ^ a b ArmStat 2021b, p. 378.
- ^ Vardanyan, Frolova & Galstyan 2021, p. 198.
- ^ Vardanyan, Frolova & Galstyan 2021, p. 197.
- ^ Fayvush & Aleksanyan 2021, pp. 84–85.
- ^ Buzzard et al. 2020, pp. 196–202.
Bibliography
edit- "Geographical Characteristic of the Republic of Armenia". Marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan City in Figures (PDF) (Report). Statistical Committee of Armenia (ArmStat). 2021a. pp. 8–13.
- "Syunik Marz". Marzes of the Republic of Armenia and Yerevan City in Figures (PDF) (Report). Statistical Committee of Armenia (ArmStat). 2021b. pp. 377–388.
- Buzzard, Paul J.; Gyonjyan, Andranik; Kaloyan, Gor; Aghasyan, Levon (2020). "Update on the Status of the Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra in Armenia" (PDF). IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin. 37 (4). ISSN 1023-9030.
- Fayvush, Georgi; Aleksanyan, Alla (2021). "Plant Diversity in Riverine Wetlands of Armenia". Bocconea. 29: 77–89. doi:10.7320/Bocc29.077. ISSN 1120-4060.
- Vardanyan, Trahel G.; Frolova, Natalia L.; Galstyan, Hrachuhi S. (2021). "The Characteristics Of Extreme Maximum Runoff Of The Rivers Of Armenia In The Context Of Global Climate Change". Geography, Environment, Sustainability. doi:10.24057/2071-9388-2020-122. ISSN 2542-1565.