Unzha

a river in Vologda and Kostroma oblasts, RSFSR; a left tributary of the Volga. The Unzha is 426 km long and drains an area of 28,900 sq km. It is formed by the confluence of the Kema and Lundonga rivers, which rise in the Severnye Uvaly. The Unzha empties into Unzha Bay of the Gorky Reservoir; the lower course of the river is in the backwater of the reservoir. Fed predominantly by snow, the river has a mean flow rate of 158 cu m per sec 50 km from the mouth; the maximum flow rate is 2,520 cu m per sec, and the minimum, 7.82 cu m per sec. The Unzha freezes over in late October or early December, and the ice breaks up in April or early May. The river’s principal right tributaries are the Viga and Neia, and its main left tributary is the Mezha. The Unzha, which is used for floating timber, is navigable in its lower course. The cities of Kologriv, Manturovo, and Makar’ev are located on the river.