The Ponoy (Russian: Поно́й) is a river on the Kola Peninsula in Russia. It is 426 km in length. The area of its basin is 15,500 km2.[1]

Ponoy
Map
Location
CountryRussia
RegionMurmansk Oblast
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationKeivy Uplands
MouthWhite Sea
 • location
Cape Korabelniy
 • coordinates
66°58′48″N 41°16′44″E / 66.98°N 41.2789°E / 66.98; 41.2789
Length426 km (265 mi)
Basin size15,500 km2 (6,000 sq mi)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftPurnach
 • rightAcheryok

Geography

edit

The Ponoy's source lies in the western end of the Keivy Uplands, 50 km east of Lake Lovozero, in the middle of the Kola Peninsula. The river then flows towards the east, threading a winding path through a landscape of hilly and marshy taiga for most of its course. The Ponoy receives several tributaries from the north, the largest being the Acheryok. Like the Ponoy itself, these also has their sources in the Keivy Uplands.

Below its confluence with the Purnach, 77 km from the sea, the river changes character and flows down a steep-sided, canyon-like valley with many rapids. It finally flows into the White Sea at Cape Korabelny, at the eastern end of the Kola Peninsula.

The river freezes over in late October to early November, and stays frozen until the first half of May. It is located entirely within the Arctic Circle.[2][3]

Wildlife and fish

edit

The river is very rich in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). It has become very popular among European fishing tourists, and there are fishing camps along the river.[2][3]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Река Поной (Пессарьйок) in the State Water Register of Russia". textual.ru (in Russian).
  2. ^ a b Chris Santella (2013-06-22). "A Haven for Salmon, and for Salmon Fishers". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b Chris Santella (2016-10-06). "On a remote Russian peninsula, one of the world's most celebrated Atlantic salmon fisheries". The Washington Post.