Sunzha

Sunzha

 

a river in the Severnaia Osetia ASSR and the Chechen-Ingush ASSR; a right tributary of the Terek River. The Sunzha measures 278 km in length and drains an area of 12,200 sq km. It originates on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus. It meanders in its lower course and divides into branches. It is fed by mixed sources. The mean flow rate 8 km from the mouth is 85.4 cu m per sec. The average amount of suspended or slow-settling matter is 3,800 g per cu m. The river deposits 12.2 million tons of alluvium annually. It is used for irrigation. The cities of Groznyi and Gudermes are located on the Sunzha.