Kodori (river)

The Kodori (Georgian: კოდორი; Abkhaz: Кәыдры, romanized: Kwydry) is one of the two longest rivers of Abkhazia,^[1] along with the Bzyb. It is formed by the joining of the rivers Sakeni and Gvandra. The Kodori is first among Abkhazia's rivers with respect to average annual discharge at 144 cubic metres per second (5,100 cu ft/s) and drainage basin area at 2,051 square kilometres (792 sq mi). It is second after the Bzyb with respect to length at 105 kilometres (65 mi) when combined with the Sakeni.^[2]

Kodori
Kodori River watershed (Interactive map)
Location
Country	Georgia/Abkhazia[1]
Physical characteristics
Source	Kelasuri First / Kelasuri Second
• location	Main Caucasian Range Caucasus Major
• elevation	1,380 m (4,530 ft)
Mouth	Georgia/Abkhazia[1]
• location	Black Sea
• coordinates	42°49′14″N 41°07′55″E
• elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Length	105 km (65 mi)
Basin size	2,051 square kilometres (792 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	144 m3/s (5,100 cu ft/s)

Course

The Kodori River originates at the confluence of the glacial-fed Sakeni and Gvandra rivers in the Caucasus Mountains, at an elevation of approximately 1,380 meters. It flows swiftly through steep, rocky terrain in its upper course, moving through subalpine meadows and forested areas. As it descends, the river enters a narrow gorge, eventually widening into a floodplain near its mouth. The river empties into the Black Sea along the Abkhazian coastline.^[3]

Hydrology

The river has an average annual discharge of about 144 cubic meters per second, making it the largest in Abkhazia by flow. Its catchment area spans roughly 2,051 square kilometers. The river is fed by a combination of snowmelt, rainfall, and glacial runoff, leading to seasonal surges in volume during the spring and summer months.^[3]

Studies on the river’s estuarine zone have shown that the Kodori plays a major role in transporting sediment to the Black Sea, particularly during periods of high discharge. These sediment inputs affect the morphology of the coastline and the ecological conditions of the nearshore marine environment.^[4][5][6]

Ecology

The Kodori River supports a range of aquatic habitats that vary according to elevation and water chemistry. Its upper sections are oligotrophic, with cold, clear waters supporting limited but specialized biota. In contrast, the estuarine zone near the mouth hosts a broader diversity of species. A 2015 study reported the presence of 84 species of phytoplankton, 19 species of zooplankton, and 105 species of benthic invertebrates in the river’s estuary.^[3][7][8]

Strategic Importance

The Kodori Valley has been a significant location in the context of regional geopolitics. The upper part of the valley, known as "Upper Abkhazia," remained under Georgian government control until the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russian-backed Abkhaz forces. The valley was the site of the 2006 Kodori crisis and other strategic military operations in the ongoing dispute over Abkhazia.^[9]

See also

• Kodori Valley for the valley through which the Kodori flows.