Pechora (river)
Sixth-longest European river, third by discharge, with no dams.
The Pechora is the sixth-longest river in Europe, flowing from Northwest Russia into the Arctic Ocean. It lies mostly in the Komi Republic, with its northernmost part crossing the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. By mean annual discharge, it ranks third in Europe, after the Volga and Danube, and is the largest river with no dams in its basin outside of New Guinea.
- length
- 1,809 km (1,124 mi)
- discharge_rank
- Third in Europe
- source
- Ural Mountains, southeastern Komi Republic
- mouth
- Pechora Bay, Pechora Sea, Barents Sea
- major_tributaries
- Ilych, Shchugor, Usa, Izhma, Pizhma, Tsilma
Reader's Guide
The Pechora River is significant as the sixth-longest river in Europe and the third by mean annual discharge, after the Volga and Danube. Its discharge is about three-quarters that of the Danube and larger than that of the Northern Dvina. It is the largest river with no dams in its basin outside of New Guinea, making it a rare example of a major free-flowing river in Europe. The river's basin includes the Virgin Komi Forests, the largest virgin forest in Europe, and the Yugyd Va National Park, highlighting its ecological importance. Historically, the Pechora was a vital transportation route to northwest Siberia, later supplemented by a railroad from Vorkuta to Moscow. The river's name appears in Russian literature as the source for the protagonist Pechorin in Lermontov's A Hero of Our Time. Its remote location and lack of dams preserve a natural hydrological regime rare among major European rivers.
Did You Know?
- The Pechora is the sixth-longest river in Europe, at 1,809 km.
- It is the largest river with no dams in its basin outside of New Guinea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pechora?
The Pechora is a major river in Northwest Russia that empties into the Arctic Ocean via the Pechora Bay. It stretches roughly 1,809 km and holds the title of the sixth-longest river on the European continent.
Where does the Pechora flow and where does it begin?
It originates in the Ural Mountains in the southeastern part of the Komi Republic and travels northward through the Komi Republic before crossing into the Nenets Autonomous Okrug near its final stretch. Its mouth opens into the Pechora Sea, a part of the Barents Sea.
Why is the Pechora considered special among European rivers?
It ranks third in Europe by mean annual discharge, trailing only the Volga and the Danube. What truly sets it apart is that it is the largest river in the world with no dams anywhere in its basin outside of New Guinea, so it flows entirely free of human-made barriers.
How does the Pechora's journey end?
The river's path concludes where it pours into the Pechora Bay, a sheltered inlet on the Arctic coast. This makes it one of the few large European rivers that discharge directly into the Arctic Ocean rather than the Atlantic or Mediterranean.
More in Rivers Of Europe 1-19
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