Tolka (Taz)

The Tolka (Russian: Толька; Selkup: Толь-кы) is a river in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia. It has a length of 391 kilometres (243 mi) and a drainage basin area of 13,300 square kilometres (5,100 sq mi).

The river flows north of the Arctic Circle, across territories of the Krasnoselkupsky District marked by permafrost and swamps.

Course

The Tolka is one of the main tributaries of the Taz. It is formed in the Siberian Uvaly hills, at the confluence of rivers Ai-Emtoryogan and Pyantymyogan. In its upper course the river heads roughly westwards across the tundra. After a long stretch it bends and meanders in a northeastern direction. Finally, south of the shore of lake Lake Chyortovo (Lozil-To), it bends eastwards, meandering until it meets the left bank of the Taz 723 km (449 mi) from its mouth in the Taz Estuary of the Kara Sea.

Tributaries

The main tributaries of the Tolka are the 141 km (88 mi) long Varky-Chyuelky (Варкы-Чюэлькы) and the 141 km (88 mi) long Kypa-Kelilky (Кыпа-Кэлилькы) on the left. There are numerous lakes and swamps in its basin, the largest of which are lakes Chyortovo and Pyurmato. The river is frozen between mid October and mid May.