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Why is the Irtysh River important to the Ob River system?
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Ob River
The Ob and Yenisey river basins and their drainage networks.
The Irtysh River is vital to the Ob River system for several key reasons:
- Major Tributary: The Irtysh is the principal tributary of the Ob, joining it near Khanty-Mansiysk.12
- Drainage Basin: The Irtysh drains an area of approximately 615,000 square miles (1,593,000 square km), which is larger than the area drained by the upper and middle Ob combined.2
- System Length: While the Ob is 2,268 miles (3,650 km) long, the Irtysh is often considered part of the main course. When including the Irtysh, the total length of the system reaches 3,362 miles (5,410 km), making it the seventh longest river in the world.31
- Navigation: The Irtysh is navigable for most of its course and serves as a significant transportation artery, featuring major river ports such as Omsk and Tobolsk.1