Udai is a river of the Left-Bank forest-steppe, a right tributary of the Sula. It flows through Pryluky district of Chernihiv region and Lubny district of Poltava region. The towns of Pryluky, Pyriatyn, and the urban-type settlements of Varva, Ladan, and Dihtiari stand on the Udai. The river is first mentioned in documents in 1390.
From the Swamp to the Sula
Udai originates from a swamp east of the village of Rozhnivka. In its upper course, it flows west, then sharply turns south and southeast, and in the middle and lower courses makes several large bends. It flows into the Sula in the village of Berezotocha near Lubny. The river is 327 km long, with a basin area of 7,030 km².
The valley is wide, 2.5–3 km, and in places up to 6 km, the floodplain is swampy with oxbow lakes. The channel is winding, 15–20 meters wide in the upper course and up to 40 meters in the lower course. The depth is mostly 0.3–1.5 meters, locally up to 4.5 meters. The river freezes at the end of November – beginning of December and thaws in the second half of March. The largest tributaries are Ichenka, Lysohir, Varva, and Smozh.
Protected Valley
The Udai valley is one of the most valuable natural corridors of the Left Bank. In the upper course lies the Ichnia National Nature Park, downstream are the Dorohynskyi, Deimanivskyi, Kukvynskyi reserves, Masalskyi island, and in Poltava region — Pyriatyn National Park. The beautiful slopes and noticeable current attract kayakers.
In recent years, Udai has been shallowing and silting up: on some stretches, the formerly navigable river is turning into a narrow stream, which local communities are sounding the alarm about.
Fishing
Udai is home to crucian carp, pike, bream, roach, perch, ide, tench, topmouth gudgeon, weatherfish, bitterling, and bleak; crayfish are found in some places. Fish are caught from the shore using float and feeder fishing, and in the pools and near thickets — pike and perch with spinning rods. The most popular spots are near Pryluky, Varva, and downstream where the channel is wider. Due to pollution and poaching, fish numbers have decreased in recent years. General fishing rules apply.
How to Get There
The most convenient place to start exploring the Udai is in Pryluky: you can walk to the city beach on the river from the center. From there, it is not far to the Hustynskyi Monastery on the bank of the Udai and to Varva.
