Rivers and lakes of Altai. Rivers of Gorno-Altaisk

Hello, Dear friends! I suggest you put aside your affairs for a while, take a break from your worries for a while and read interesting story Oksana Belousova about rivers and lakes of Altai . Looking at Oksana’s photographs, you will be able to mentally move to Altai and admire this magical land, and she perfectly conveys all her emotions.

There are many rivers (more than 20 thousand), streams and lakes in Altai, there are reservoirs of natural and artificial channels. I will share with you photographs of reservoirs that I myself saw. And how much I still have to see!

Rivers of Altai

Rivers of Altai - collage

Rivers in the Altai Territory

In the Altai Territory there are unusual and even some funny names of rivers:

• Aichenok,
• Badger, Wolf, Otter, Hare, Hare, Goose, Crane,
• Besstanka,
• Big Chesnokovka,
• Big Sibiryachenok,
• Thunderbolt,
• Dirty, Zamarayka,
• Dugout,
• Zelenka.

The names are easy to remember and then you can show off your knowledge in geography lessons or in the game “Cities, Rivers”. This was my favorite game at school.

Rivers in Gorny Altai

There are also many beautiful ones in Gorny Altai, unusual names rivers:

• Akkem (White water),
• Aktru (Stop), Taldura (Willow Station), Argut (place where the snow leopard lives),
• Swan,
• Chulcha (Stream),
• Biya, Multa (there are 42 lakes in the Multa basin!), Katun, Kumir, Kucherla, Oroktay, Peschanaya, Pyzha, Tekelyu, Charysh, Chulyshman, Chuya, Shinok.

There are three rivers in our city of Biysk - Biya, Ob, Katun. And close to the city are Chemrovka and Chugunayka.

Biya River in Gorny Altai

A pontoon bridge has been installed on the Biya River. The bridge is very helpful. After all, getting to the right place is faster.

Artificial reservoirs - sand pits, reservoirs, culverts. All this is also available in Biysk.

Biya River in Gorny Altai - collage

And here is a photo rich in minerals. This spring is located in Kyzyl-Ozek.

Lakes of the Altai Territory

The most interesting names lakes in the Altai region:

• White,
• Gorky,
• Mirror,
• Raspberry (the color of the lake is crimson due to crimson crustaceans),
• Manzherok
• Mokhovoe,
• Dead
• Teletskoye
• Khomutinoye,
• Chernokurinskoe.

In the Altai Territory, most lakes have salty water; many lakes are famous for their healing water.

I have only been to Lake Aya and Manzherok.

Lake Manzherok in Altai

Many people have heard of Manzherok, thanks to Edita Piekha’s song “Manzherok.” She sings about our lake - fabulous, in water lilies. Trees and flowers grow along the shores of the lake. There are always a lot of people on the beach. A local landmark is the white camel. Takes kids for rides.

In the village of Manzherok there is a cable car to Mount Malaya Sinyukha - in the form of a lift with chairs. I went up there once. The spectacle is magnificent!

Lake Manzherok in Altai - collage

Lake Aya in Altai

I visit Lake Aya every year. There is such a wonderful forest there! Birch trees stand inclined towards the water. Rocky shores in places. You can climb on them and look down on the lake.

Lake Aya in Altai - collage 1

Cozy gazebos on the lake shore, boats, catamarans, slides in the water park.

And also a bungee jump! Once I was at the lake with my daughter. She said that she would go into the forest. She left and after a while I heard her voice - throughout the whole lake. And she is already flying on a bungee over the lake, and screams both from the joy of flight and from fear. I got an adrenaline rush at the age of 18. I remember how her eyes lit up after landing. The extreme sports enthusiast was so delighted.

You swim, sunbathe, the air is clean, fragrant, the gentle sun warms you and you don’t want to leave. I would have stayed there so as not to return to the hustle and bustle of the city, where the whole air smelled of gasoline.

The artist G. I. Choros-Gurkin was amazingly able to convey the beauty of Altai:

“...Altai is not just mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls, but a living spirit, a generous, rich giant - a giant. It is fabulously beautiful with its multi-colored clothing of forests, flowers, and herbs. Fogs - his transparent thoughts - run in all directions of the world. The lakes are his eyes looking into the Universe. Waterfalls and rivers - his speech and songs about life, about the beauty of the earth, mountains...”

beauty rivers and lakes of Altai - unsurpassed! And it’s wonderful that we, who live in these beautiful, fabulous places, can enjoy, admire, admire it all at any time natural wealth! I can sing about the beauty of Altai for a long time. But it's time to say goodbye. And you should return to your business. I hope your soul warms and your mood improves? All the best! And let it be remembered sunny summer! With warmth, Oksana Belousova .

Altai region

Officially. Altai Territory is located in the southeast Western Siberia, 3419 km from Moscow. Territory 168,000 square km.

Informally. The Altai region is very large and diverse. The topography changes as you move through the area. He seems to be a growing bear, at first quiet and calm, then huge and majestic. This is how steppes and plains grow into foothills and mountains.

Officially. The climate is temperate continental, formed as a result of frequent changes in air masses.

Unofficially. The four seasons have many variations, and come back each year to see a different perspective. You can come in the hot summer, or you can come in the cool and rainy weather. Give me variety! - this is the main rule of Altai weather.

Summer and Altai Mountains

Officially: The Altai Mountains are a complex system of the highest ridges in Siberia, which are separated by deep valleys of mountain rivers and vast basins located inside the mountains.

Informally: The nature of Altai is amazing. Tourists from all over the globe rush to these places to enjoy the beautiful views of high mountains, mountain rivers, mysterious caves and deserted spaces. Immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of these places.

Check-in Altai Territory began
in the 18th century

Young Russia needed metal to produce weapons and coins. The Ural factory owner Akinfiy Demidov founded the first metallurgical plant- Kolyvano-Voskresensky. The depths of Altai were also rich in silver. In 1744, Demidov began producing silver. The result of Akinfiy Demidov’s activities in the Altai region was the establishment of a feudal mining industry based on the serf labor of assigned peasants and artisans.

Event tourism in the Altai region

Creation and development of bright, interesting events in business, cultural, sports life The Altai Territory has become the basis for the development of event tourism in the region. The region annually hosts more than a dozen festivals, forums, and celebrations that can attract thousands of tourists from different regions Russia and from abroad. These are the International Tourism Forum “VISIT ALTAI”, the festival “Blossoming of the Maralnik”, the drinks festival “Altaifest”, the Day of Russia at the “Turquoise Katun”, the festival “Shukshin Days in Altai”, the International Youth Forum of the Asia-Pacific Region, the SCO Forum, the Siberian International Forum on Health and medical tourism, the Altai Wintering holiday and many others.

beauty and health

Officially. The useful flora of the region has 1184 plant species. The largest group of drugs, including those widely used in official medicine about 100 species.

Informally. Decoction, herbal teas, berry fruit drinks - this is what everyone who comes to the Altai Territory should try. Spas, health and wellness centers use products made from Altai herbs.

One of the most powerful rivers Gorny Altai- Biya River. It flows from Lake Teletskoye, and together with another large river, the Katunya, merges into the great Ob River. The Biya is a mountain-plain river; along its entire length there are practically no widenings of the channel. This current makes it convenient for tourist rafting.

At its sources, the river is surrounded by rocks, and then it emerges into flatter places, the banks are covered with bright greenery, trees, and flowers. The total length of the river is 301 km.

Chibitka River

The Altai Republic is filled with many picturesque natural objects. Among them is the Chibitka River, stretching for 39 kilometers along the Ulagan Plateau. The river originates on the slopes of the Kuraisky ridge.

The route along Chibitka is very popular among motorist travelers. Following the river, you can see many picturesque places. Among them are lakes Uzunkel and Cheybekkel, as well as the “Red Gate” - a narrow isthmus between the mountains, which has a reddish tint.

There are a total of 20 lakes in the Chibitka basin. There are two villages near the river - Aktash and Chibit.

Ursul River

The Ursul, the left tributary of the Katun River, is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Altai Territory, attracting tourists with its pristine landscapes and the opportunity to test themselves in water slalom.

Originating on the northern slopes of the Terektinsky ridge, the Ursul River is wide and calm in its middle reaches. Winding among the gentle banks, the river does not show its obstinate temper. Narrow strips of willow, birch and larch frame the coastline. The river becomes completely different in its lower reaches when it flows into the Katun: the seething stream will roar among steep cliffs, crossing over huge boulders that cut the Ursul into separate streams. This is where thrill seekers go. They gave their names to the river rapids: “Target”, “Chernaya Yama”, “Khabarovsk Hydroelectric Power Station”, “Castle”. Ursul rafting is becoming more and more popular among rafters every year.

But not only natural beauties the river beckons. Along the banks of the Ursul there are many mounds of the 5th-3rd centuries BC, where during excavations daggers, arrowheads made of bone and bronze, as well as inlaid belts, bronze mirrors, and decorations for horse harnesses were found. Along the tributaries of the Ursula, in the surrounding tracts, you can come across stone women depicting warriors with painted faces and details of clothing and jewelry.

The Ursul River is an ideal holiday destination for mountain lovers, wildlife, history and unforgettable adventures.

Charysh River

The Charysh River is one of the largest rivers in the Altai Mountains. The length of the river is 547 kilometers, and its source is located in the Ust-Kansky region of the Altai Mountains, on the northern slopes of the Korgon ridge with altitudes of more than 2000 meters.

On the cozy picturesque shores you can find convenient places for summer parking and tent camps. The banks either clamp the rivers in a vice, or diverge and allow the water of the rivers to calm down, and the earth to spread out into valleys filled with flowers and herbs. Spruce and fir grow along the slopes of the Korgon ridge; higher up there begins a zone of high-mountain meadows with low but bright herbs. Also on the banks of the river you can see many different shrubs, including berry bushes: black and red currants, raspberries, honeysuckle, rowan, viburnum.

The Charysh and its tributaries are famous among rafting enthusiasts. The link of the rivers Kumir - Charysh - Korgon - Charysh is a route of the 5th category of difficulty. This is the only water “five” in the Altai Territory

Fans of archeology and history of ancient times can visit caves in the vicinity of the village of Ust-Kan and on the banks of the Charysh in the middle reaches, where traces of ancient people have been found.

Chemal River

The Chemal River is a mountain river originating in the mountains of the Chemal region of the Altai Territory. There are several tourist centers located along its bed.

Chemal descends from a height of 2000 meters, taking its source in a lake located on the Tamanelen mountain range, at a distance of 95 kilometers from Gorno-Altaisk. The name of the river can be translated from the Altai language as “ant river”. Chemal – the only river in a region whose flow was stopped by a hydroelectric power station built in 1935. The majestic view of the confluence of the Chemal and another river called the Katun can be seen in the main guidebooks to Altai. This place is also called the “Gate of Sartakpai” - named after the legendary Altai hero.

Mild climate, many warm sunny days And Nice weather favor the development of resort tourism in the Chemal region.

Peschanaya River

The Peschanaya River is a left tributary of the Ob, flowing in the Altai Territory. The river flows picturesquely from the mountains, flowing through rapids and dividing into channels, and then joining into one channel. Thus it flows rapidly, calming down only in the valley. It flows along a channel of 276 kilometers.

The river is very popular among tourists and lovers of nature and water sports. It contains rocks and sandbanks, screes and steep bomes, as well as many rapids.

The river is also a route of the third category of difficulty, where water tourism competitions are held annually.

The mouth of the river is a unique natural monument, as this place is very picturesque. This place is home to a huge number of bays and lakes, on the shores of which waterfowl nest.

You can get here by horse or boat.

Katun River in Gorny Altai

The Katun River is the most large river Mountain Altai. Its name goes back to the Altai word “kadyn”, which means “mistress”, “mistress”. The length of the river is 688 kilometers.

The river originates on the southern slopes of the Belukha mountain massif, crosses the basin of the Uimon steppe, and after flowing into the Argut River flows in a northerly direction. The river is formed by numerous streams and rivers that flow from mountain ranges. The main tributaries of the river are Chuya, Kuragan, Koksa, Kucherla, Akkem, Ursul, Argut, Sumulta, Isha, Maima, Kadrin, Sema. The most powerful tributary of the river is the Argut, which has a length of more than 230 kilometers.

The river bottom is filled with boulders and pebbles, and there are also frequent exits bedrock that forms many rapids and waterfalls. In summer, the water in the upper reaches of the Katun acquires a milky white color due to the melting of glaciers, and in the fall the river turns turquoise.

Sights of Gorno-Altaisk

Description of the presentation by individual slides:

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Rivers and lakes of the Altai Territory Primary school teacher: Maslova Natalya Aleksandrovna Belokurikha, Altai Territory

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There are more than 20,000 rivers in the Altai Territory, most of which belong to the Ob system. Many rivers begin high in the mountains and have a rapid current. When leaving the mountains, the rivers become increasingly calm. Most rivers in the region are characterized by mixed feeding, due to snow, ice and rain. IN winter time Rivers are fed only by groundwater.

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Biya River Biya is the second largest river in the region. It begins in Lake Teletskoye. Its length is 280 kilometers. In the upper part of the river there are rapids, waterfalls, and rifts. Merging with the Katun, the Biya gives rise to the Ob. The name Biya is associated with the Altai words “biy”, “beg”, “bii” - “lord”. The river's feeding is mixed. Biya is navigable in high water.

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The Katun River Katun flows from the Gebler glacier at an altitude of about 2000 meters on the southern slope of the high mountain Altai - Belukhas. In the upper and middle reaches the river has a mountainous character, especially in summer time when snow and glaciers are rapidly melting. In the lower reaches it acquires a flat character, spreading below the village. The Maima has channels and channels, and flows along an inclined plain to the north until it merges with the Biya. Almost 7,000 rivers and streams flow into the Katun.

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The water in Katun is turquoise and whitish-yellow. The water in the Katun is cold, its temperature in summer rarely rises above 15 C. The river is fed mainly by the melting of snow and ice from glaciers. The length of the river is 665 kilometers; in its basin there are about 7,000 waterfalls and rapids.

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The confluence of the Biya and Katun rivers The confluence of the Biya and Katun rivers is one of the main attractions Smolensk region. Two river streams meet each other on the spit of Ikonnikov Island, not far from the village of Verkh-Obsky. The muddy whitish water of the Katun and the transparent bluish water of the Biya flow for a long time without mixing with each other. The confluence of the Biya ("Biy") and Katun ("Khatyn") rivers has been considered sacred by local ethnic groups since ancient times. At the confluence of the Biya and Katun on the right bank of the Ob, the Alexander Nevsky Temple was built at the beginning of the century. Ikonnikov Island itself is a unique natural site with fairly well-preserved island landscapes.

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River Ob Main river Altai region is the Ob, formed from the confluence of two rivers - the Biya and the Katun. At a distance of 500 km, the wide ribbon of the Ob crosses the Altai Territory, forming two giant bends. In terms of its length (3680 km), it is second in Russia only to the Lena (4264 km) and the Amur (4354 km), and in terms of the area of ​​its basin, the Ob is the largest river in our country, second only to five rivers on the planet: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, Nile and La Plata. The river's feeding is mixed. In the north of the region there is the Ob Reservoir.

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The Alei Alei River is the most major influx Ob on the flat part of the region. In length (755 km) it exceeds Katun and Biya, but is inferior to them in terms of water content. Alei originates in the low mountains of northwestern Altai. This is a river with mixed type power supply (snow and rain), spring flood reaches its maximum in April. Alei is characterized by large loop-shaped bends; in the lower reaches the river has broad clay soil.

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The Chumysh River Chumysh is the right tributary of the Ob. The river originates in Salair, from the confluence of two rivers: Tom-Chumysh and Kara-Chumysh. Although the river is twice as long as the Biya (644 km), the Chumysh is a relatively low-water river. In many places its valley is swampy and covered mixed forest. The share of snow supply makes up more than half of the runoff for the year, and the maximum flood in Chumysh is in April.

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Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River, Altai Territory, Soloneshensky District. On the Shinok River in the middle part of the valley there is a cascade of waterfalls. The Shinok River is an amazing and unique natural monument, the uniqueness of which lies in the unprecedented accumulation of waterfalls. The waterfalls of the Shinok River have been known since the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but gained popularity a century later. In 1999, the state nature reserve"Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River", and in 2000 three waterfalls received the status of natural monuments

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The Shinok River, whose name in translation from Turkic means “impregnable”, “precipitous”, mostly flows in a picturesque gorge, which is surrounded by a rich cedar forest growing on the slopes of the mountains, which gives amazing view river valley. The Shinok River, a tributary of the Anui, originates on a swampy plateau southwest of Mount Askaty (1786 m) on the border of the Soloneshensky district of the Altai Territory and the Ust-Kansky region of the Altai Republic. The Shinok River valley is deeply incised and has steep, often rocky slopes. Its length from the confluence of its two sources to the mouth is about 30 km, the height difference is 850 m. Most of the Shinok is a rocky riverbed with a rapid current; there are at least 12 waterfalls on the Shinok River.

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River White River The Belaya is a left tributary of the Charysh and flows through the southern territory of the Altai Territory. The Belaya River is up to 85 m wide and up to 2 m deep. The river is very picturesque and is distinguished by its extraordinary purity; it flows rapidly in a beautiful valley, squeezed by high mountains. The Belaya River attracts tourists not only for its beauty, but also for the opportunity to raft on it.

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Kumir River The Kumir River is one of the left tributaries of the Charysh. Located in the Charyshsky district of the Altai Territory. The river is not large, but has a violent character, which makes it attractive for rafting enthusiasts. The Kumir River flows for 40 km in a deep gorge. There are about 17 rapids and 20 rifts in this area. This beautiful river full of rapids of 2-3 difficulty categories.

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On the Kumir River, there is an amazingly picturesque place “Devichi Reach”, which is located near the village of Ust-Kumir. This place, in the middle of a fast-flowing river, is unexpectedly quiet, calm, with clear water to the bottom. The Kumira pool is rich in minerals. Rare and very beautiful white jasper lies here, and there are also deposits of rock crystal. The river is very picturesque; rafting along it, you can really get an unforgettable experience not only from its frantic nature and all sorts of obstacles encountered along the way, but also from the magnificent landscapes of the coastal areas. The nature here amazes with its pristine purity and beauty.

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The Korgon River Korgon is the left tributary of the Charysh. It originates on the northern slope of the Korgon ridge. Everywhere the flow of the Korgon River is fast, rapids, and in some places the river forms cascades. This is one of the most picturesque rivers throughout Altai, it has a length of 50 km. The river flows in a shallow gorge, the river bed is very rocky and rapids. And just before it flows into the Charysh, its valley widens. In total, there are 25 rapids and 40 shivers on Korgon.

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The river has tributaries Antonov Korgon, Korgonchik, etc. There are several apiaries in the valley. Korgon can be called one of the most interesting rivers of the Altai Mountains for sports rafting, containing numerous obstacles of 3-5 difficulty categories. Korgon, together with the rivers Kumir and Charysh, form the link Kumir - Charysh - Korgon - Charysh, which is the only route of the 5th category of difficulty in Altai. Unpredictability and diversity - business card this river.

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Charysh River The Charysh River is one of the largest rivers in the Altai Mountains; its length is 547 km. The river flows from the northern slopes of the Korgon ridge; in the upper reaches it rushes between steep slopes, like a typical mountain river, on average it calms down somewhat, in the lower reaches it flows out into the plain in a wide channel. Everywhere, except for the very lower reaches, there are rapids and rifts. All major tributaries come from the left side: Kumir (66 km), Korgon (43 km), Inya (110 km), Belaya (157 km). If the Charysh itself is called a turbulent river, then its left tributaries are called “mad”. They have big fall, in large areas they flow between rocky shores.

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A significant part of the Charysh basin is occupied by forests. The slopes of the Korgon ridge are dominated by spruce and fir; higher up there begins a zone of high-mountain meadows with low but colorful herbs. Maral root grows almost everywhere. The large-flowered slipper, Altai gymnosperm and others, listed in the Red Book of Russia, have been preserved in the Charysh region. There are a lot of fish in the Charysh River: grayling and royal taimen - the dream of every fisherman; there is pike, perch, burbot. The mountain slopes in the Charysh basin are replete with caves, which makes it possible to go through speleological routes here. Those who are interested in archeology and the history of ancient times visit the caves in the vicinity of the village of Ust-Kan and the banks of the river in the middle reaches, where sites of ancient people have been found. The Charysh and its tributaries are famous among rafting enthusiasts.

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Peschanaya River The Peschanaya River flows through the territory of the Altai, Smolensk, Soloneshsky districts of the Altai Territory. The Peschanaya pool covers an area of ​​5660 square meters. km. It is bounded from the west by the Anuysky ridge, from the east by the Cherginsky, and from the south by the spurs of the Terektinsky and Seminsky ridges. The Peschanaya River belongs to the Ob basin. The Peschanaya River descends from the eastern slope of the Seminsky ridge, from a height of 1600 m, to the Pre-Altai Plain, where it flows into the Ob. More precisely, it does not descend, but quickly runs down the mountains, overcoming obstacles in the form of rifts and rapids, branching into channels and connecting into a single channel.

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The river path is 276 km long. The Peschanaya River is beautiful and very diverse. Swift water washes over piles of stones, sandbanks, sheer booms, and steep screes. The river is a popular destination for water tourists. The river is also of great interest to fishermen. These places are very popular among fishing enthusiasts; even special fishing tours are organized. The mouth of Peschanaya has the status of a natural monument as an extremely picturesque area. This place is unique in that there are many floodplain lakes and bays, on the banks of which waterfowl nest.

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Lakes of the Altai Territory Altai is a land of thousands of lakes. The Altai lakes are picturesque. There are thousands of them in the region, and they are located throughout the territory. Most of the lakes are located in the Kulunda Lowland and on the Priob Plateau. It’s not for nothing that Altai is called the land of blue lakes. Small mountain and steppe lakes give natural landscapes a unique charm and uniqueness. The largest lake in the Altai Territory is the bitter-salty lake Kulundinskoye (area 600 sq. km, length - 35 and width 25 km). It is shallow, ( maximum depth- 4 m), fed by the waters of the Kulunda River and groundwater. To the south of Kulundinsky there is the second largest lake - Kuchukskoye (area 180 sq. km). It is completely similar in regime and nutrition to Kulundinsky and was previously connected to it by a channel.

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Kulunda Lake Kulunda lakes are all remnants of an ancient sea that existed many millions of years ago on the site of the present plains. Many of these lakes have long been famous for their mineral waters, having healing properties, as well as healing clays and mud. The largest lake in the region is Kulundinskoye. Its banks are flat, low-lying, merging with flat surface Kulunda. Kulunda Lake is shallow, fed by the waters of the Kulunda River and groundwater.

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Lake Kolyvan Lake is located at the foot of the northern slope of the Kolyvan ridge, 3 km east of the village. Savvushka in the vicinity of Zmeinogorsk, Altai Territory. Kolyvan Lake is a complex natural monument. This is one of the largest lakes in the southwestern part of the Altai Territory (length 4 km, width 2-3 km). But that's not why it's famous. The shores of this beautiful, calm and very clean lake are framed by rocks of bizarre shapes, which the human imagination gives the shape of columns, palaces, fantastic animals, and human faces.

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Kolyvan Lake is compared to a blue gem framed by picturesque rocks. The purity of the water in Lake Kolyvan is evidenced by the fact that a rare water chestnut, chilim, listed in the Red Book, is found here. This is a relict plant preserved from the pre-glacial period. On the territory of Altai, chilim is also found in Lake Manzherok and in several small lakes. Chilim is rich in protein and starch. In ancient times it was used as food and also served as amulets and talismans.

Altai is characterized big amount rec. Their total number is about 20 thousand. If you combine all the rivers of Altai into one, then its length will be enough to go around Earth along the equator one and a half times. Since the Altai region is characterized by a diverse landscape (there are mountains, valleys and lowlands), the rivers also differ in the nature of their flow. These are both stormy mountain streams and calm, slow currents.

The distribution of rivers and lakes in these places is determined by the nature of the terrain and climate. Thus, for these reasons, the water system of the region is divided into two parts:
The rivers of the mountain range mainly belong to the Upper Ob basin. This is the Altai mountain range, its foothills, the entire Right Bank. Here river Ob collects the bulk of its waters. Its tributaries, both on the left and on the right, are about 2000 rivers, the length of each is up to 10 km, their density is 1.5 - 2 km;
Plain streams belong to the drainless Kulunda depression. These are calm rivers, in the beds of which many freshwater lakes are formed. The Kulunda depression is also distinguished by the presence of salty and bitter-salty lakes.
Nutrition of Altai rivers
The Ob River is considered the main water-bearing artery of this region. It is formed after the merger Biya and Katun . It flows first through mountainous areas, where it is fed by numerous tributaries. In the valley, the nature of its flow changes and it resembles a deep, calm stream. Here its main tributaries are the Chumysh, Alei, Bolshaya Rechka, Barnaulka, which are characterized by wide valleys and sandy reaches.
The rivers of the mountainous part have glacial, snow and partly rain. Ground nutrition is poorly expressed. It is typical only for lowland rivers.
Since the Altai region differs tectonic structure, the nature of the river flow here is also varied. Mountain arteries are turbulent, rapid streams of water, with rapids and steep banks. The presence of tectonic ledges causes a large number of waterfalls (waterfalls on the slopes of the Belukha massif, on the northern slope along Tekel, on Tigirek). The most picturesque waterfall is considered to be Rossypnoy, 30 m high, which is located on the southern slope of Belukha, in the upper reaches of the Katun.
Plain rivers are characterized by wide valleys, calm flow, a large number of floodplains and above-floodplain terraces.
Regime of Altai rivers
The flow regime of Altai rivers largely depends on climatic conditions. Since their main diet is melt water, spring floods are typical for the Altai rivers. It lasts 10-12 days in the mountain range, and much longer on the plain. After it, the rivers become sharply shallow.
The freezing of rivers in the valley begins in October-November and lasts about 170 days. Ice drift begins in mid-April. Many rivers, especially shallow ones, freeze to the bottom. But on some (rivers Biya, Katun, Charysh, Peschanaya) the flow of water continues and in some places the water comes to the surface, forming glaciers. Rivers with fast current- Katun, Biya, Bashkaus, Chuya are partially frozen. On sharp turns and descents, cascading ice forms here, and hanging ice on the waterfalls, which are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty.

Rivers of the Altai Territory

Ob
The main river of the Altai Territory is Ob, formed from the confluence of two rivers - Biya and Katun. At a distance of 500 kilometers, the wide ribbon of the Ob crosses the Altai Territory, forming two giant bends. In terms of its length (3680 km), it is second in Russia only to the Lena (4264 km) and Amur (4354 km), and in terms of basin area, the Ob is the largest river in our country, second only to five rivers on the planet: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, Nile and La Plata.

Ob and its tributaries Chumysh, Anui, Alei, Bolshaya Rechka, Barnaulka and others have a calm flow, wide developed valleys, in which strongly winding channels with sandy reaches adjoin.

Barnaulka River - tributary of the Ob River

The bottom of the Ob is sandy over a large area. Sometimes you come across rocky rifts and shoals, there are especially many of them in the section of the river between Biysk and Barnaul. During floods, the water level in the Ob is high; water floods the right low bank for several kilometers.

Name great river The Ob owes its origin not to the peoples who have lived on its banks from time immemorial. The Nenets living in the lower reaches of the river called it “Sala-yam”, which means “Cape River”. The Khanty and Mansi gave it the name “As” - “ big river“, the Selkups called the river “Kvay”, “Eme”, “Kuay”. All these names meant “large river.” The Russians first saw the river in its lower reaches when hunters and merchants, together with Zyryan guides, went beyond the Stone (as the Ural Mountains were then called). Long before Ermak’s conquest of Siberia, the region around the Ob was called Obdorsky.

There is a version that the name of the great Siberian river comes from the Komi language, which meant “snow”, “snowdrift”, “place near the snow”.

There is also an assumption that the name is related to the Iranian word “ob” - “water”. And this name could well have been given to the deep river by the peoples of the Iranian-speaking group who lived in the south of Western Siberia during the period from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.

Biya

The Biya is the second largest river in Altai. It originates in Lake Teletskoye. Its length is 280 kilometers. In the upper part of the river there are rapids, waterfalls, and riffles. Merging with Katun, Biya gives rise to the Ob.

The name Biya is associated with the Altai words “biy”, “beg”, “bii” - “lord”.

Katun

The Katun flows from the Gebler glacier at an altitude of about 2000 meters on the southern slope of the highest mountain in Altai - Belukha. In the upper and middle reaches, the river has a mountainous character, especially in the summer, when snow and glaciers melt intensively. In the lower reaches it acquires a flat character, spreading below the village. The Maima has channels and channels, and flows along an inclined plain to the north until it merges with the Biya.

The water in the Katun is cold, its temperature in summer rarely rises above 15 C. The river is fed mainly by the melting of snow and ice from glaciers. The length of the river is 665 kilometers, and there are about 7,000 waterfalls and rapids in its basin.

Aley

Alei is the largest tributary of the Ob on the flat part of the region. In length (755 km) it exceeds Katun and Biya, but is inferior to them in terms of water content. Alei originates in the low mountains of northwestern Altai. This is a river with a mixed type of feeding (snow and rain), the spring flood reaches its maximum in April. Alei is characterized by large loop-shaped bends; in the lower reaches the river has broad clay soil.

Chumysh

Chumysh is the right tributary of the Ob. The river originates in Salair, from the confluence of two rivers: Tom-Chumysh and Kara-Chumysh. Although the river is twice as long as the Biya (644 km), the Chumysh is a relatively low-water river. In many places its valley is swampy and covered with mixed forest. The share of snow supply makes up more than half of the runoff for the year, and the maximum flood in Chumysh is in April.

Lakes of Altai

The Altai lakes are picturesque. There are thousands of them in the region, and they are located throughout the territory.

Most of the lakes are located in the Kulunda Lowland and on the Priob Plateau. It’s not for nothing that Altai is called the land of blue lakes. Small mountain and steppe lakes give natural landscapes a unique charm and uniqueness.

The largest lake in the Altai region is a bitter-salty lake Kulundinskoe(area 600 sq. km, length - 35 and width 25 km). It is shallow (maximum depth - 4 m), fed by the waters of the Kulunda River and groundwater. South of Kulundinsky there is the second largest lake - Kuchukskoe(area 180 sq. km). It is completely similar in regime and nutrition to Kulundinsky and was previously connected to it by a channel.

Kulunda the lakes are all remnants of an ancient sea that existed many millions of years ago on the site of the present plains. Many of these lakes have long been famous for their mineral waters, which have healing properties, as well as healing clays and mud. Gorkoe-Isthmus, Raspberry- are places of pilgrimage for residents of the region and numerous guests. On the salty Bolshoi Yarov There has been a medical and health complex on the lake for many years. Salty water, abundance of steppe sun, picturesque Pinery The shores of such lakes create unique conditions for recreation.

There is a lot of fish in the fresh flowing lakes, and waterfowl in the reed thickets along the banks.

The lakes of the mountainous part of the Altai Territory are very picturesque. They are located in the hollows of ancient drainage, on the site of old channels of long-vanished mountain rivers that arose when an ancient glacier melted.

Between the Biya and Chumysh rivers there are small and shallow freshwater lakes. There are lakes on the floodplains of lowland rivers, and in ancient and modern river valleys there are small elongated lakes - oxbow lakes.

The Altai region is also rich mineral springs. What makes it especially famous is its radon sources, which have been used by the local population since time immemorial. medicinal purposes. Both in our country and abroad, the famous radon waters of Belokurikha are famous, where numerous resorts and health resorts have been built. The presence of radon waters was noted in the valleys of the Kalmanka and Berezovaya rivers.

Waterfalls are also common in Altai, like a waterfall on a river Shinok, not far from Denisova Cave, about 70 meters high, until recently it was known only to local residents. Now many people dream of visiting here. Currently, there are eight waterfalls and one waterfall on the Shinok River. In 2000, the Cascade of Waterfalls on the Shinok River reserve acquired the status of a natural monument.