| Velykyi Kuialnyk River | |
|---|---|
 The lower course | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Mouth | |
• location | Kuialnyk Estuary |
| Length | 150 km (93 mi)[1] |
| Basin size | 1,860 km2 (720 sq mi)[1] |
 | |
The Velykyi Kuialnyk (Ukrainian: Великий Куяльник) or Bolshoy Kuyalnik (Russian: Большой Куяльник) is a river in Podilsk and Berezivka Raions of Odesa Oblast, Ukraine. It flows into the Kuialnyk Estuary of the Black Sea. The river spans 150 kilometres (93 mi), with a drainage basin covering 1,860 square kilometres (720 sq mi).[1] The urban-type settlements of Shyriaieve and Ivanivka are located along its banks.
Historically, the Velykyi Kuialnyk was navigable and, along with the Dniester, served as a route for transporting goods to the Black Sea, bypassing the cascades of the Dnieper River. However, in 2007–2008, illegal sand diggers constructed a dam at the river’s mouth, which prevented it from emptying into the sea. The dam has not been removed, resulting in the gradual drying of the estuary.[2][3]
- ^ a b c "Большой Куяльник" (in Russian). Great Soviet Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ "Куяльник: туманное будущее национального парка" (in Russian). Таймер. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ Симоненко, Ольга. "Куяльник погибает: одесское "Мертвое море" обмелело" (in Russian). Odesa-life. Retrieved 21 May 2016.