Ay (river)

The Ay (Bashkir: Әй, Russian: Ай) is a river in Bashkortostan and Chelyabinsk Oblast in Russia, a left tributary of the Ufa. The river is 549 kilometres (341 mi) long, and its drainage basin covers 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 sq mi).[1] The Ay freezes up in late October or early November and remains icebound until mid-April. The cities of Zlatoust and Kusa are along the river Ay. Along the banks of the river, there are many steep cliff sides and caves.[2] The current of the river has been used for hydroelectric power. It is also possible to fish for pike, bleak, and carp, to name a few species.[3]

Kurgazak cave off the coast of the river Ay

Rocky ledge near the river Ay

Ay
View from the bank of the river
Etymology	"month" or "moon" in Bashkir language
Native name	Әй  (Bashkir)
Location
Country	Russia
Oblasts	Chelyabinsk Oblast, Republic of Bashkortostan
Cities	Zlatoust, Kusa
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Uraltau range
Mouth	Ufa
• coordinates	54°39′11″N 59°06′41″E
• elevation	525 ft
Length	549 km (341 mi)
Basin size	15,000 km2 (5,800 sq mi)
Basin features
Progression	Ufa→ Belaya→ Kama→ Volga→ Caspian Sea