Enguri

Enguri
The Enguri is the main source of water for theEnguri Damin Georgia
Location
Country	Georgia
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Main Caucasian Range Caucasus Major
Mouth	Black Sea
• coordinates	42.3908°N 41.5592°E/42.3908; 41.5592
Length	213 km (132 mi)
Basin size	4,060 km2(1,570 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• right	Mulkhra

TheEnguri(Georgian:ენგური,romanized:enguri,Mingrelian:ინგირი,romanized:ingiri,Abkhaz:Егры,Egry) is a river in westernGeorgia.It is 213 km (132 mi) long, and has adrainage basinof 4,060 km²(1,570 sq mi).It originates nearUshguliin northeasternSvanetiand plays an important role providinghydroelectricpower to the area.

The Enguri Valley

Bridge over the Enguri river near the coast. In the background the area ofAbkhazia

Mouth of Enguri river with viewtower, September 2018

The river emerges from the highCaucasusnear the highest mountain in Georgia,Shkhara,and winds through the mountain valleys to the northwest before turning southwest to empty into theBlack SeanearAnaklia.

Since theAbkhaz–Georgian conflict,both Georgia and Abkhazia keep troops on the river;Russiaalso keepspeacekeepingtroops. The only legal crossing-point is the 870-metre (2,850 ft) longEnguri Bridge,which was built by Germanprisoners of warfrom 1944 until 1948. There are also a number of illegal connections across the river.

The river plays an important role in the Georgian energy production. In 1988 theEnguri Damwas built at a height of 240 metres (790 ft). At 750 metres (2,460 ft) across and 271.5 metres (891 ft) high, it is the largest construction in the Caucasus. It has a capacity of 1.1 million cubic metres (39,000,000 cu ft) of water. The underground water works produce about 40% of the national energy. The capacity is 1,300 megawatts.

See also

• Abkhazia–Georgia border
• Mulkhura

External links

• Die Brücke der DeutschenEurasian Magazine(in German)