| Ay | |
|---|---|
 View from the bank of the river | |
| Etymology | "month" or "moon" in Bashkir language |
| Native name | Әй (Bashkir) |
| Location | |
| Country | Russia |
| Oblasts | Chelyabinsk Oblast, Republic of Bashkortostan |
| Cities | Zlatoust, Kusa |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Uraltau range |
| Mouth | Ufa |
• coordinates | 54°39′11″N 59°06′41″E / 54.65306°N 59.11139°E |
• elevation | 525 ft |
| Length | 549 km (341 mi) |
| Basin size | 15,000 km2 (5,800 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Ufa→ Belaya→ Kama→ Volga→ Caspian Sea |
The Ay (Bashkir: Әй, Äy; Russian: Ай) is a river in Bashkortostan and Chelyabinsk Oblast in Russia, a left tributary of the Ufa. The river is 549 kilometres (341 mi) long, and its drainage basin covers 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 sq mi).[1] The Ay freezes up in late October or early November and remains icebound until mid-April. The cities of Zlatoust and Kusa are along the river Ay. Along the banks of the river, there are many steep cliff sides and caves.[2] The current of the river has been used for hydroelectric power. It is also possible to fish for pike, bleak, and carp, to name a few species.[3]
