Sungari

Sungari, river, China: see Songhua.

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Sungari 

(also Sunghua Chiang), a river in northeastern China; the largest right tributary of the Amur River. The Sungari measures approximately 2,000 km in length and drains an area of approximately 524,000 sq km. The river originates in the plateau of the Ch’angpai Shan and crosses the Manchurian-Korean Mountains, mainly in a southeast-northwest direction. After it is joined by the Nonni River, a left tributary, the Sungari sharply changes direction toward the northeast, flowing along the Sungliao and Sanchiang plains. In level regions it divides into branches and follows a meandering course. The lower Sungari is joined by a large right tributary, the Mutan River. The Sungari is fed primarily by rain. High water is in the summer, when severe floods are frequent, and in the spring. The mean flow rate at the mouth is 2,470 cu m per sec. The river carries a great deal of suspended alluvium. The Sungari freezes in November, and the ice breaks up in April. It is navigable below the city of Kirin. Located in the upper course is the Fengman Hydroelectric Power Plant, with a reservoir measuring approximately 150 km in length. The cities of Kirin, Harbin, and Chiamussu are situated on the river.