Avers Rhine

Avers Rhine
The Avers Rhine in Val Ferrera valley, lithograph from 1827
Native name	Ragn da Ferrera
Other name(s)	German: Averser Rhein
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Graubünden, Switzerland
Basin features
Main source	Confluence of Bergalgabach and Jufer Rhine 1,931 m (6,335 ft) 46°24′3″N 9°32′56″E / 46.40083°N 9.54889°E / 46.40083; 9.54889
River mouth	Confluence with Hinterrhein in Andeer 1,075 m (3,527 ft) 46°34′59″N 9°25′20″E / 46.58306°N 9.42222°E / 46.58306; 9.42222Coordinates: 46°34′59″N 9°25′20″E / 46.58306°N 9.42222°E / 46.58306; 9.42222
Progression	Hinterrhein/Rein Posteriur → Rhine → North Sea
River system	Rhine
Basin size	261 km2 (101 sq mi)
Tributaries	Left: Bergalgabach, Madrischer Rhein, Reno di Lei, Ual da Niemet Right: Jufer Rhine, Ava da Starlera, Ava da Mulegn
Waterbodies	Innerferrarra reservoir
Physical characteristics
Length	20 km (12 mi)
Discharge	Average rate: 11.5 m3/s (410 cu ft/s)

The Avers Rhine (Romansh: Ragn da Ferrera, German: Averser Rhein) is a tributary of the Hinterrhein/Rein Posteriur in the Swiss canton of Graubünden.

It rises in Avers at the confluence of the Bergalgabach with the slightly smaller Jufer Rhine. The Jufer Rhine rises in, and is named after, Juf, the highest permanent settlement in Europe, near the border with Albula district. From this confluence, the Avers Rhine descends through a deep gorge, spanned by the 80-metre (260 ft) high Lezi Bridge. When it reaches the valley floor, it meets the slightly smaller Madrish Rhine.

After a few kilometers, it is joined from the left by the Reno di Lei, which flows almost entirely on Italian soil. The Lago di Lei reservoir is also on Italian soil, except for the dam which creates it, which was erected on Swiss territory.

The Avers Rhine continues its way through the Val Ferrera valley, which contains two populated places. The upper village is Innerferrera (Romansh: Calantgil), where the river is dammed, forming the Innerferrera reservoir since 1961. Below Ausserferrera (Romansh: Farera), the glacial valley is flanked by steep rocky slopes. The Avers Rhine then flows into the Hinterrhein in the Rofla Gorge above Andeer.

The road in the Ferrera valley is a cul de sac.