Pärnu (river)
| Pärnu | |
|---|---|
The river, frozen in winter, at the point where it enters the sea
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| Country | Estonia |
| Basin features | |
| Main source | Central Estonian Plain 76.2 m (250 ft) |
| River mouth |
Gulf of Riga 58°22′38″N 24°28′34″E / 58.37722°N 24.47611°ECoordinates: 58°22′38″N 24°28′34″E / 58.37722°N 24.47611°E |
| Basin size | 6,920 km2 (2,670 sq mi) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 144 km (89 mi) |
| Discharge |
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The Pärnu (Estonian: Pärnu jõgi) is a river in Estonia that drains into the Gulf of Riga at Pärnu. At 144 km, it is one of the longest rivers in Estonia, with a basin area of 6,920 km² and an average discharge of 64.4 m³/s.
The river Pärnu is the second longest river in Estonia at 144 kilometres (89 mi), and one of only ten rivers in the country which is longer than 100 kilometres (62 mi). Its catchment area is 6,920 square kilometres (2,670 sq mi), occupying roughly one-sixth of the landmass of Estonia and one of only 15 catchment areas of Estonian rivers which exceeds 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi). Its sources are in the karst upland of Pandivere, in north-eastern Estonia, and its main tributaries join the river from the upland of Sakala. Due to its length, the river Pärnu passes through most of the landscape types found in Estonia. The rivers' surroundings are dominated by agriculture and its upper reaches in Järva County is considered some of the best arable land in Estonia. In the area around Paide town, the river flows through forests and wetlands. It discharges into Pärnu Bay; the city of Pärnu lies where the river enters the sea.
The catchment area of the river is roughly composed of Lower Silurian deposits to the north of the river from the sea to where it merges with the Navesti, and from there north of Navesti, and to the south of this line is composed of largely Middle Devonian deposits. Near Tori, sandstone outcroppings, cliffs and caves border the river. In its northern and eastern course, the river runs over a thin (from 5 metres [16 ft] down to as little as 1 metre [3.3 ft]) layer of topsoil, while closer to the sea the topsoil can be as deep as 60 metres (200 ft).
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Wikipedia