| Meghri Meghriget | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Native name | Մեղրի |
| Location | |
| Country | Armenia |
| Province | Syunik |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Blue Lake |
| • elevation | 3,250 m (10,660 ft) |
| Mouth | Aras |
• location | Meghri |
• coordinates | 38°53′19″N46°16′0″E / 38.88861°N 46.26667°E /38.88861; 46.26667 |
• elevation | 380 m (1,250 ft) |
| Length | 36 km (22 mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 3.53 m3 (125 cu ft) |
TheMeghri (Armenian:Մեղրի,pronounced[mɛɣˈɾi], also known as theMeghriget) is a tributary of theAras River in theSyunik Province of southernArmenia. It descends steeply through the province, stretching 36 kilometres (22 mi) in length from its headwaters at Blue Lake to its confluence with the Aras, as a left tributary, south of the town ofMeghri.
The Meghri is a river inSyunik Province, Armenia. It descends sharply over its course, from 3,250 metres (10,660 ft) above sea level at its headwaters at Blue Lake, to an altitude of 380 metres (1,250 ft) at its confluence with theAras.[1][2]
The river'scatchment area totals 336 square kilometres (130 sq mi). It has an average discharge of 3.53 cubic metres (125 cu ft) per second, although this can increase dramatically during periods of flooding, up to a recorded high of 87.5 cubic metres (3,090 cu ft) in March 1956.[3]
A portion of the upper Meghri is withinArevik National Park.[2] The Meghri valley is the hottest and driest region in Armenia.[4]
Due to its geographical separation from the rest of Armenia, several species of plants that grow within the Meghri basin are not found elsewhere in the country. It displays strong similarities with the flora of adjacent regions within Iran.[5]
TheEurasian otter is found in the Meghri river basin. Endangered in Armenia, otter populations have seen some recovery in the basin, where they frequently steal fish and pose a nuisance toaquaculture.[6] However, lower water levels from the installation of hydroelectric stations has caused many to migrate to the Aras itself.[6]