Near the Black and Azov Seas, the Crimean Peninsula is located , on which a huge number of rivers and reservoirs flow. In some chronicles and other sources, it was called Tavrida, which served as the name of the province of the same name. However, there are many other versions. Scientists are inclined to believe that, most likely, the real name of the peninsula came from the word “kyrym” (Turkic language) - “shaft”, “ditch”.
Crimean peninsula
Crimea is located in several climatic zones. In the region of the southern coast, the subtropical prevails, in the northern part of the peninsula - moderately continental. Summer is characterized by the appearance of seasonal dry winds.
The Crimean steppe zone is located in the temperate climatic zone. It is distinguished by a very dry, hot summer, with little snow in winter. The weather is quite changeable.
On one side of the peninsula is washed by the Sea of Azov, on the other - Black. Thanks to this, it does not lack water flows, their number reaches 1700, among them there are both temporary and permanent. The main rivers of Crimea: Salgir, Chernaya, Zuya, Indol, Belbek and others. In total there are 150 flows of different sizes.
Peninsula rivers features
The water grid in the Crimea is uneven. The largest numbers are on the south and west coast. Due to the specific climate, only some rivers of the Black Sea are covered with ice in the cold season. The longest freeze-up occurs only in the Salgir region. In the rest, water freezing is practically absent.
Due to the fact that many flows of the Crimea are small, their water content, respectively, is also low. The average water flow is only 2.5 m 3 / s. In the mountain zone, the water content of the flows reaches 25 l / s per square meter. km
The rivers that are in the steppe zone are shallow. They are distinguished by their dryness all year, only in spring can you observe the course. Occasionally, it appears during snowmelt and downpours. These streams are snow fed.
Floods on the rivers of Crimea are often formed in the spring and winter. At the same time, 85% of the total annual runoff passes. During heavy showers, their height reaches a critical point. Rivers, the source of which is in the mountains, dry up in the middle and lower reaches.
Black river
In the southwestern region of Crimea is located the Black River. Its length reaches 34 km. The source is located in a valley called Baydarskaya. The mouth is the Black Sea, or rather, its Sevastopol Bay. The watercourse flows through the Chernorechensky canyon. Its length is 16 km. In 1956, a reservoir was built on the Chernaya River. In the gorge area, its course is especially strong, as it is compressed on both sides by cliffs. After it enters the valley, the water speed returns to normal. Here, the Sukhaya River and Aytodorka, two especially important tributaries, flow into the watercourse. The first "delivers" rainwater, and the second - aquifer.
The Black River has a special historical significance. During the Crimean War, August 4, 1855, a battle took place on its shores.
Hydronym came from the name of a nearby village. It is in no way associated with the color of the watercourse. The Black River on the map of Schmit, on which it is mentioned for the first time, did not have a designation, that is, it was not signed at all. Only in 1790 did its first name appear - Kirmen. A little later, in other sources, the watercourse is referred to as Kazykly-Reducing. Only in 1817 its modern name, Black, was born, as evidenced by the map of General Mukhin. After several decades, this hydronym finally established itself.
Belbek
The length of Belbek is 63 km. Located in the southwest of the peninsula. The source is located at the junction of the Ozenbash and Managotra rivers. Like the Black River, it flows into the Black Sea in the area of Lyubimovka.
It is the deepest river in Crimea. The upper reaches of the water stream are represented by stormy waters that never dry up, a narrow channel, high and steep banks, and also a fairly fast flow. In the river valley there is a very large number of cities and villages. And also here are some significant sights of the Crimea.
In the lower zone of the river, the speed of water is small. In the XX century, on a site near the mouth, the Belbek channel was divided into two separate ones, since the stream constantly flooded under the influence of rains. However, at present, the depth of the river has decreased significantly, as a result of which only a new branch is filled with water.
In the mountains, the river valley narrows. Its depth in the narrowest place is 160 m, width - 300 m. In it several years ago grottoes were discovered.
Black Sea Rivers
Most of the rivers of not only Europe, but also Asia belong to the Black Sea basin. Their vast majority are full-flowing streams. A distinctive feature of these rivers is that they seem to store water to give it to the sea at the confluence. Because of this, the height of the water at the mouth is many times higher than the level of the Atlantic Ocean. The largest amount is brought by the Danube.
In addition to small rivers, such large watercourses of Europe as the Dniester and the Dnieper flow here. The northern part of the reservoir is replenished by the Southern Bug, which flows throughout Ukraine. Its length is 806 km. The western part is fed by the rivers of Bulgaria - Kamchia and Veleka.
The runoff for the whole year exceeds 310 km 3 . It is worth noting that 80% of this figure is the Danube and the Dnieper. An important difference between the Black Sea and some others is that it has a positive balance. Its outflow is equivalent to 300 km 3 per year. Water enters the Marmara, Aegean, and also the Mediterranean Sea through the Bosphorus. Thanks to the last reservoir, warm water with a higher concentration of salts flows here.
The rivers of the Crimean peninsula are fed in various ways. The Black River is no exception. A mixed view is characteristic here, in which rain replenishment of waters predominates. In winter, most of the rivers are aquiferous, floods occur constantly. In the summer, due to the climate, some streams completely dry up.