Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

Gizeldon

The Gizeldon, is a river in North Ossetia–Alania just west of Vladikavkaz. It drains the northern slopes and glaciers of Mount Kazbek north to the Terek. The river is 80 kilometres (50 mi) long, with a drainage basin of 604 square kilometres (233 mi2). A valley with many cliffs and a 4000-metre peak, the area is prone to avalanches; 30 were reported in 1967–1968. The terrain is described as having "craggy, gashed terrain", with cattle breeding, lumbering, and lead-zinc mining being the principal economic pursuits of the people of the Gizeldon valley. A hydroelectric plant has been built on the Gizeldon.

Last revised
Jun 21, 2026
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Gizeldon
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Location
CountryNorth Ossetia–Alania (Russia)
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationCaucasus Mountains
MouthTerek
 • coordinates
43°14′12″N 44°19′26″E / 43.2367°N 44.3239°E / 43.2367; 44.3239
Length80 km (50 mi)
Basin size
604 km2 (233 sq mi)
Basin features
Progression Terek→ Caspian Sea

The Gizeldon (Russian: Гизельдон or Гизель-Дон; Iron Ossetic: Джызæлдон, Džyzældon), is a river in North Ossetia–Alania just west of Vladikavkaz. It drains the northern slopes and glaciers of Mount Kazbek north to the Terek. The river is 80 kilometres (50 mi) long, with a drainage basin of 604 square kilometres (233 mi2).1 A valley with many cliffs and a 4000-metre peak,2 the area is prone to avalanches; 30 were reported in 1967–1968.3 The terrain is described as having "craggy, gashed terrain", with cattle breeding, lumbering, and lead-zinc mining being the principal economic pursuits of the people of the Gizeldon valley.4 A hydroelectric plant has been built on the Gizeldon.4

References

References

  1. "Река Гизель-Дон (Архонка, Штри-Дон) in the State Water Register of Russia". textual.ru (in Russian).
  2. Richmond, Simon (1 March 2009). Russia. Lonely Planet. p. 531. ISBN 978-1-74104-722-6. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  3. American Meteorological Society; Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Inc. Internet Database Service (1970). Meteorological and geoastrophysical abstracts. American Meteorological Society. p. 2273. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  4. Bahr, Lauren S.; Johnston, Bernard (1993). Collier's encyclopedia: with bibliography and index. P.F. Collier. p. 643. Retrieved 24 December 2011.