The Gizhiga (Russian: Гижига; Koryak: Вуйвов’эем [Vuyvov'eyem]) is a river in Magadan Oblast, Russian Far East. It originates in the Korbendya Range of the eastern Kolyma Mountains at an elevation of approximately 1,000 m (3,300 ft) and flows generally eastward before turning southeast and finally southwest to empty into Gizhigin Bay, at the northern end of the Shelikhov Gulf on the Sea of Okhotsk. The river is 221 km (137 mi) long and drains a basin of about 11,900 km² (4,600 sq mi). Its average discharge is roughly 151.8 m³/s (5,360 cu ft/s).
Etymology
The name “Gizhiga” likely derives from the Chukchi word Ḳtig (Ӄитиг), meaning “frost” or “cold wind”. In Koryak it is known as Vuyvov'eyem, which translates to “fortress river”.
Course and tributaries
After descending from its mountainous source, the Gizhiga traverses remote terrain characterized by tundra, taiga, permafrost, and numerous thermokarst lakes. In its lower reaches it spreads into a floodplain with multiple sleeves. Major left‑bank tributaries include the Akhaveyem (65 km), Chyornaya (157 km) and Irbichan (63 km); the principal right‑bank tributary is the Turomcha (104 km).
Ecology
The river supports a variety of fish species, such as grayling, pike, Eurasian minnow, chum salmon, pink salmon and coho salmon, which migrate upstream for spawning. Beluga whales are also observed in its estuarine zone.
Human settlement
Near the river’s mouth lies the rural locality (selo) of Gizhiga, situated on the right bank just upstream of where the river enters Gizhigin Bay.
The Gizhiga is part of the extensive river network feeding into the Sea of Okhotsk and contributes to the region’s hydrographic and ecological systems.
