Khroma

The Khroma (Хрома) is a river in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) of the Russian Federation. It is 685 km long, and has a drainage basin of 19700 km2.

Course
The source of the Khroma is at the confluence of the Tamteken and the Nemalak-Arangas, flowing down from the Polousny Range. It crosses the Yana-Indigirka Lowland, part of the greater East Siberian Lowland. It flows across the tundra roughly northeastwards and finally it has its mouth west of the mouth of the Lapcha in Khroma Bay which is connected with the East Siberian Sea. Owing to its extreme northerly location the Khroma River freezes up in early October and remains icebound until June.

Tributaries
The main tributary of the Khroma is the 314 km long Yuryung-Ulakh (Юрюнг-Уулаах) that joins its left bank 9.4 km before its mouth.

Wetlands
The Kytalyk Wetlands, located between the Khroma and the Sundrun (Khroma-Sundrun Interfluvial Area) is an ecologically important area, providing a favorable habitat for many rare animals. The region is practically uninhabited and full of lakes and marshes. Wild reindeer, Siberian cranes, Canadian cranes, marsh sandpipers and Ross's gulls are abundant in the Khroma River wetlands.

The lesser white-fronted goose, brent goose, Bewick's swan and the spectacled eider are also found in the Khroma-Sundrun Interfluvial Area.

Gold and tin mining upriver are affecting the ecology of the region by destroying fish and bird habitat.