Dnieper–Bug estuary

The Dnieper–Bug estuary (Ukrainian: Дніпровсько-Бузький лиман, romanized: Dniprovsko-Buzkyi lyman), also called the Dniprovska Gulf, is an open estuary, or liman, of two rivers: the Dnieper and the Southern Bug (also called the Boh River). It is located on the northern coast of the Black Sea and is separated from it by the Kinburn Spit and the Cape of Ochakiv.

Dnieper–Bug estuary
Satellite view of the Dnieper–Bug estuary
Dnieper–Bug estuary Show map of Ukraine Dnieper–Bug estuary Show map of Mykolaiv Oblast Dnieper–Bug estuary Show map of Black Sea
Location	Ukraine
Coordinates	46°37′N 31°57′E
Type	estuary
Primary inflows	Dnieper, Southern Bug
Basin countries	Ukraine
Max. length	63 km (39 mi)
Max. width	17 km (11 mi)
Surface area	1,006.3 km2 (388.5 sq mi)
Average depth	4–6 m (13–20 ft)
Max. depth	12 m (39 ft)
Settlements	Ochakiv, Mykolaiv

Description

1 – Dnieper estuary; 2 – Southern Bug (Boh) estuary; 3 – Kinburn peninsula; 4 – Dnieper mouth

The estuary includes two parts: the wide Dnieper estuary (55 km long, up to 17 km wide), and the narrower Bug estuary (47 km long, from 5 to 11 km wide). The average depth is 6–7 metres (20–23 ft) and the maximum depth 12 metres (39 ft).

The estuary is important for transport, recreation, and fisheries. Its most important port is Ochakiv.

Historical events

The estuary was a naval battleground in the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792. A key event in that war was the Siege of Ochakov, while naval battles – which involved the Russian Dnieper Flotilla,^[1] John Paul Jones deep-water fleet^[2][3] and the Ottoman Navy – included the First Battle of the Liman on June 7, 1788 and the Second Battle of the Liman on June 16 and 17.^[1][3]

Map of the estuary created during the Russo-Turkish War of 1787-1792

Key landmarks

The ruins of Pontic Olvia are located on the right bank of the Southern Bug (Boh River), right at its mouth.^{[citation needed]}

There is an artificial island which is often mistaken for Berezan Island, but it is actually Pervomaiskyi Island [de].^{[citation needed]}