Bolshaya Kokshaga River

Kugu Kakšan, Bolshaya Kokshaga River
Origin Kirov Oblast, Russia
Mouth Kuybyshev Reservoir, Volga near Kokshaisk, Mari El, Russia
Basin countries Kirov Oblast and Mari El, Russia
Length 297 km
Basin area 6,330 km²

The Bolshaya Kokshaga (Mari: Кугу Какшан, Kugu Kakšan; Russian: Больша́я Кокша́га, literally Great Kokshaga) is a river in Kirov Oblast and Mari El, Russian Federation. It is a left-bank tributary of the Volga. Its length is 297 km and its drainage basin is 6,330 km². The river is fed by snow and rain, and from November till April it is usually frozen.

The river originates in the coniferous forests of Kirov Oblast where the area is thinly populated by the Russians and Mari people. The main settlements on Kokshaga are Kiknur and Sanchursk in Kirov Oblast. The Mari El river passes through the Mari Depression, where mixed forests and swamps are situated. This area is also thinly populated and the Bolshaya Kokshaga preserve is located there. The Bolshaya Kokshaga flows to the Kuybyshev Reservoir, and then to the Volga near Kokshaisk, Mari El.

The main tributary of the Bolshaya Kokshaga is the Bolshoy Kundysh River.

Rafting

Rafting is popular on the Bolshaya Kokshaga in the spring time, from April-May. In summer the river become shallow and the riverbed becomes blocked with logs and legs floating downstreams. If they're in your way you can walk past them, unless, however, they are your legs blocking the stream.

See also