home » Shoes » The Kama flows into the Volga map. Where is the source of the Kama River? Geography and interesting facts

The Kama flows into the Volga map. Where is the source of the Kama River? Geography and interesting facts

The Kama is one of the ten largest watercourses in Europe. The word “kam” itself can be translated from the Udmurt language as “ big river" The Kama collects its waters from a huge area (520 thousand square kilometers). This territory is comparable in size to such European countries like France or Spain.

Many people are interested in the question of where is the source of the river? Kama, according to geographical studies, begins in Udmurtia and flows into the Kuibyshev reservoir of the Volga.

general characteristics

One of the largest rivers in Europe originates and flows within Russia. The total length of the Kama is 1805 km, and the area of its basin is about 520,000 square meters. km. The river flows through five modern regions of the Russian Federation: Udmurtia, Kirov region, Perm region, Bashkortostan and Tatarstan. Several large and famous cities of the country have grown on the banks of the Kama: Solikamsk, Perm, Naberezhnye Chelny and others.

Like any other lowland river in Europe, the Kama is fed mainly by rain and melted snow waters. Its bed freezes around mid-November and opens in early April. Average consumption water in the mouth area is over 4000 cubic meters. At the Kama, hydrologists counted about 75 thousand tributaries of varying lengths.

The name of the river most likely comes from the Udmurt word “kam” (“big river”). From him, according to one theory, the name of the Komi people came.

source and mouth

Kama in Lately is increasingly becoming a subject of dispute between Russian and foreign geographers. Not everyone agrees to consider it. But more on that a little later. Let's consider where is the source of the river?

The Kama originates from springs in the vicinity of the village of Kuliga, Kez district of the Udmurt Republic. In its upper course, the river is a small stream flowing through numerous fields and meadows. At first it flows strictly north, then changes its direction to the east, and then sharply turns to the south. Gradually, the Kama gains strength and becomes a very full-flowing river.

The mouth of the Kama in the middle of the last century was flooded by the waters of the large Kuibyshev reservoir.

The source of the Kama River is located at an altitude of 330 meters above sea level, and its mouth is at an altitude of 35 meters. Thus, the watercourse decreases by almost 300 meters along its long path. At the same time, it is small and amounts to 0.11 m/km.

Kama or Volga: who is more important?

Which river in this or that river system can be considered the main one? It is quite difficult to answer this question. To determine the main river, not only the total length of watercourses is taken into account, but also a number of other parameters:

catchment area;
river water content;
number of tributaries;
age of the river valley;
source height, etc.

Even the color of the water in the two rivers is taken into account, as well as the angle at which they merge.

If we take into account all the above factors of hydrology, then it is the Kama that will be correctly considered main river in its river system. In other words, it is the Kama, not the Volga, that flows into the Caspian Sea near Astrakhan.

Why did geographers make such a serious mistake? Here main role The historical and cultural factor played a role. The Volga has long been perhaps the main natural symbol Russia, its shrine. For Russians, this river is as sacred as the Dnieper for Ukrainians or the Ganges for Hindus. Besides economic importance The Volga is much more significant than the level of development of the Kama.

By the way, this is far from the only case in the world when the wrong watercourse is called the main one. Another similar example- American and Mississippi.

The source of the Kama River as a tourist site

In the Kez region, far from civilization, there is a small village of Kuliga. The settlement is famous for the fact that it is home to a large community of Russian Old Believers. Another attraction of the village is natural. It is in the vicinity of Kuliga that the source of the Kama River is located.

“There, from a tiny spring - the Kama - a river grew!” - this is how the Perm poet Boris Shirshov described this place. Kama really starts from a spring. A powerful stream of cool and tasty water bursts out of the iron pipe, and a small stream with a cheerful murmur rushes on its long path.

The source of the Kama River is refined and well-groomed. Nearby there is a cozy square and a small stone stele with the appropriate inscription: “Here the Ural River Kama originates.” Nearby there is a tiny bridge across the riverbed. Visiting tourists love to take pictures in this place, standing with their feet on two different banks of the great Russian river.

Conclusion

The Kama is considered the largest tributary of the Volga. However, not all geographers agree with this formulation. Some are sure that it is not the Kama that flows into the Volga, but quite the opposite.

Where is the source of the river? The Kama is born in Udmurtia, near the village of Kuliga, flows through the territory of five regions of Russia and flows into the Kuibyshev reservoir of the Volga, located near Kazan.

Kama River – main tributary Volga, and one of the largest rivers in the European part of Russia. There is even an opinion that it is not the Kama that flows into the Volga, but vice versa. Since the channel of the Kama appeared earlier, its basin is larger, and the number of tributaries is also greater. But in geography, tradition means a lot, and the Russians began to develop the Kama from the Volga basin, which is why it is believed that the Volga is more important.

Chaif group, song “Kama River”:

Characteristics of the Kama River.

Map:

River length: 1805 km. Before the construction of three dams it was more than 2 thousand km.

Drainage basin area: 507,000 sq. km.

Where does it occur: The Kama originates in the village of Kuliga, Udmurt Republic, from four streams. The height of the source is 331 meters above sea level. In the upper reaches, the river flows along a winding channel, forming numerous oxbow lakes in the floodplain. The river becomes full-flowing only after the Vishera flows into it. Here it is worth mentioning one more controversial point; in fact, it should be assumed that it is not the Vishera that flows into the Kama, but vice versa. Therefore, judging strictly by science, the Vishera should have become the main river of Russia, and not the Volga or the Kama. But history cannot be changed, so it is better to leave everything as it is.

In the lower reaches the river spills over a wide valley, forming branches. Here the width of the channel is 450-1200 m. Below the mouth of the Vyatka River, the Kama flows into the Volga, or rather into the Kama Bay, Kuibyshev Reservoir. Here in the floodplain of the river there is such a nice place like Tanaevsky floodplain meadows.

Tributaries: 73,718 rivers flow into the Kama, most (94.5%) of them are small rivers up to 10 km long. All right tributaries (Kosa, Urolka, Kondas, Inva, Lysva, Obva) and some of the left ones (Veslyana, Lunya, Leman, South Keltma) are lowland rivers. Mountain rivers flow from Ural mountains and flow into the Kama on the left side. These are Vishera, Yayva, Kosva, Chusovaya (especially good)…

River mode

The river is mostly fed by snow, but there is also rain and underground. During spring flood(from March to June) 62.6% of the annual flow passes through the river. Water level fluctuations are 7-8 meters.

Freezing: The river becomes covered with ice in November (beginning of November in the upper reaches and end of November in the lower reaches), the ice lasts until April.

Economic use

Three reservoirs have been created on the river, these are: Kama, Nizhnekamsk and Votkinsk reservoirs.

Below Solikamsk on the banks of the river it was built a large number of factories. Therefore, the ecological situation in the middle reaches and below leaves much to be desired.

In general, industry on the Kama River has a rich and long history; even the name of the city Solikamsk indicates that salt was mined here.

Watch more in the video film: “Ridge of Russia: Perm Region”

Cities on the Kama: Solikamsk, Berezniki, Perm, Krasnokamsk, Tchaikovsky, Neftekamsk, Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk, Chistopol and others.

Biological resources, inhabitants: The main types of fish in the river are carp, asp, crucian carp, sturgeon, bream, sterlet, pike perch, perch, ruffe, burbot, catfish, pike and others.

Holidays on Kama can be varied. Lovers active rest and rafting will be preferred by the upper reaches of the river. For those who prefer more relaxing holiday A large number of recreation centers, fisheries, and dispensaries have been built. Kama is also of interest as a place for fishing, but due to ecological situation It’s better to limit it to the upper reaches.

Video: “Walk along the Kama River, in the water area of the city of Perm HD”

Video: “Winter. Kama. Slavic fishing."

The Kama River flows through the European part of Russia and is the left and largest tributary of the Volga. Its length is 1805 km. The pool area is 507 thousand square meters. km. The source of the river is located on the Verkhnekamsk Upland at an altitude of 330 meters above sea level. This is Udmurtia, the village of Kuliga. It is within its territory that springs flow from the ground, which give life to the great Ural river. And your long haul it ends at the Kuibyshev Reservoir on the Volga.

From the source, the water flow moves to the northwest, and after 125 km it turns to the northeast. In this direction it flows to the village of Loino, Verkhnekamsk district, Kirov region. This is about 200 km. And after this the river makes a sharp turn to the south and carries its waters across the territory Perm region. At first, the water flow does not make an impression. It is narrow and winding. It overflows and becomes a high-water river after the confluence of the Pilva River, which carries its waters from the Komi Republic and has a length of 214 km.

Downstream the Vishera River flows into the Kama. This, like the Pilva, is a left tributary. It originates on the border of Komi and Sverdlovsk region. Its length waterway is 415 km. At the mouth of the Vishera it spills up to 900 meters wide and makes the mighty Ural river even more full-flowing. Further, the left bank becomes elevated and steep, while the right bank remains low.

Kama River

Reservoirs

There are 3 large reservoirs on the river. The first one is Kamskoye. It originates from the confluence of the Urolka River. This is a small river stream 140 km long. It is a right tributary. The dam of the Kama Hydroelectric Power Station itself, which forms the reservoir, is located in the city of Perm. The length of the Kama Reservoir reaches 350 km. Its width is 14 km, and greatest depth is 30 meters.

Next comes the turn Votkinsk Reservoir. It is formed by the dam of the Votkinsk hydroelectric power station. It is located in the city of Tchaikovsky. This is an administrative-regional center with a population of about 100 thousand people. The length of the Votkinsk reservoir reaches 365 km. The width is 9 km, and maximum depth equals 29 meters.

The next and last reservoir is called Nizhnekamsk. It is formed by the Nizhnekamsk hydroelectric power station, located near the city of Naberezhnye Chelny. Its length is 185 km. The width is 20 km, and the maximum depth reaches 22 meters. In May 2010, an accident occurred at the hydroelectric power station. As a result of the explosion in the turbine room, 2 people were killed and 10 more people were injured. This did not affect the operation of the hydroelectric station in any way.

Before the creation of the hydroelectric power station cascade, the flow speed in the mighty Ural river was 1.5 times higher than it is now. The reservoirs also changed the color of the water. She became darker. It is usually compared with Volga water, which is much lighter.

Kama River on the map

Mouth of the Kama

Before the Kuibyshev reservoir on the Volga was created, the Kama River at its confluence initially flowed parallel to the great Russian river. It was separated from it by a rocky ridge, the length of which reached 12 km. Nowadays there is no Kama estuary as such. The waters of the Kuibyshev Reservoir splash in this place. At the junction of two mighty rivers, it reaches its greatest width, which is almost 40 km.

Only after the confluence of the right tributary of the Vyatka are separate branches into which the Ural river will break up. But then they are absorbed by the waters of the reservoir. Thus, we can only talk about the lower reaches of the river, and not about its mouth, which in former times exceeded the Volga in width. And in general, it should be noted that the Kama is fuller. But it is not it that flows into the Caspian Sea, but the Volga. This is how it happened historically. Barge haulers and peasant uprisings are associated with the Volga. Therefore, the Ural River faded into the background, and the green street was given to a narrower and less full-flowing river.

Hydrological regime

The river is fed by snow, rain and underground. High water in March-June. It includes 60% of the annual flow. Freeze-up usually begins in the first ten days of November. The river is covered with ice until April. Spring ice drift lasts 2 weeks.

Shipping

The river is navigable from the mouth to Solikamsk. The official shipping route is considered to be the village of Kerchevo. It is located 60 km upstream from Solikamsk. Previously, this was the world's largest timber raid. It ceased operations in 1995. From Perm you can get to Moscow by water, Nizhny Novgorod, Astrakhan. The Kama River is famous for its picturesque banks. This attracts many tourists who want to experience wildlife. But the pristine environment is now heavily polluted by industrial waste.

Kama - large river, flowing through the territory of several regions of Russia: Udmurt Republic, Perm Territory, Kirov Region, the Republics of Bashkortostan and Tatarstan. It is navigable along most of its course, is an important transport route, and is also used for energy production, as a source of water supply (three large hydroelectric complexes were built on the river), and for fishing purposes. It is considered the largest tributary. IN geographically It is notable for the fact that along its path it gradually changes direction clockwise and in the upper reaches forms a giant “loop” going around the Verkhnekamsk Upland.

Toponymy

Other names: Chulman (Tatar).
Origin of name: The hydronym “Kama” has ancient Finno-Ugric roots. Its modern form is derived from the Udmurt “kam”, which means “river” or “big river”.

Morphometry

Catchment area: 507,000 km².
Length: 1,805 km.
Slope: 0.17 m/km.

Hydrology

Water system: → .
Water flow at the mouth: 4,300 m³/s.
Character of the current: flat.
Reservoirs: Kamskoe, .
Bottom: in areas with a noticeable current - pebble-rocky or sandy. In quiet places (especially in areas where there is backwater from reservoirs) it is clayey or silty.

Tributaries

Legend: - stream; — small river; — middle river; - big river. The numbers indicate the distance from the mouth in kilometers.

Rights

1767 Neelkam
1683 Leman
1646 Cedar
1590 Kolych
1572 Zyuzba
1561 Chus
1528 Nyarpa
1519 Syuzva
1508 Black
1487 Chula
1388 Kym
1379 Chus
1364 Buzima
1342 Ima
1310 Kuzhva
1287 Pisegovka
1267 Tuprunka
1241 Pogva
1236 Berezovka
1222 Punchshim
1206 Volva
1198 Pyy
1195 Weight
1174 Todya
1109 Scythe
1102 Svetlitsa
1025 Sumych
996 Lesson
965 Kerchevka
962 Gremyachevka
932 Vilva
913 Lysva
872 Kondas
844 Tuzim
835 Pozhva
810 Inva
792 Chermoz
776 Garevaya
690 Gaiva
638 Lasva
636 Malaya Lasva
631 Coat
624 Syuzva
605 Sirka
586 Nytva
576 Peremka
572 Taborka
545 Essay
472 Zhulanovka
462 Kononovka
458 Frequent
445 Golovnikha
423 Medvedka
406 Hacksaw
404 Booze
329 Siwa
293 Nechkinka
277 Sarapulka
271 Malaya Sarapulka
256 Mulevka
227 Vetlyanka
124 Izh
53 Toyma
1 Vyatka

Left

1800 Kamka
1729 Lopja
1724 Kampyzep
1722 Maly Pyzep
1709 Sardai
1704 North Sardai
1667 Showa
1656 Lytka
1652 Chenog
1640 Chenog
1637 Groin
1630 Tomyz
1617 Nirim
1608 Kaya
1601 Neopolis
1594 Wok
1580 Pura
1562 Cheneg
1551 Button
1545 Zuykarka
1530 Shalim
1473 Lupya
1440 Ryta
1421 Volosnitsa
1406 Nyrmych
1349 Lupya
1293 Pyelka
1261 Porysh
1244 Seiwa
1222 Liz
1199 Sordva
1193 Veslyana
1181 Lupya
1175 Leman
1172 Yazevka
1060 South Keltma
1056 Pilva
1014 Chelva
1005 Big Trump
937 Moshevitsa
930 Borovaya
919 Usolka
891 Tolych
889 Zyryanka
881 Lönva
879 Yayva
864 Poz
846 Seungwa
824 Emelyanikha
799 Nizhny Lukh
787 Big Visim
776 Lönva
748 Tyus
745 Dobryanka
729 Polazna
620 Pitching
549 South
520 Pisia
511 Big Finger
493 Tulva
487 Osinka
354 Saiga
259 Sholya
241 Kambarka
240 Buoy
232 Berezovka
118 Ik
78 Shilna
75 Chelna
65 Betki
3 Zay

Geography

Coastal landscape: in the upper reaches the river goes around the Verkhnekamsk Upland, flows in the countryside - among mixed forests and fields. In these places there are many long swamps along its banks. In the middle and lower reaches the landscape is drier, large settlements. The forest here often gives way to forest-steppe (with a predominance of deciduous trees) and steppe areas.
Settlements on the banks: the largest are Gayny, Solikamsk, Usolye, Berezniki, Pozhva, Chermoz, Dobryanka, Perm, Krasnokamsk, Nytva, Okhansk, Osa, Chastye, Votkinsk, Tchaikovsky, Sarapul, Kambarka, Neftekamsk (there are also about three hundred small settlements along the banks of the Kama River points, many of which are abandoned).

Source

Coordinates: 58°11′22″ n. latitude, 53°45′01″ e. d.
Height above sea level: 335 m.
Topographical landmark: key near the village of Kuliga, Kez district of the Udmurt Republic (central part of the Verkhnekamsk Upland).

Estuary

Coordinates: 55°10′50″ n. latitude, 49°23′11″ e. d.
Height above sea level: 36 m.
Location: river - left bank 1804 km from its mouth.

Territorial location

Interactive map

Ecology

The ecological situation along the entire length of the Kama is ambiguous. In the upper reaches the river flows through relatively sparsely populated rural areas - there are no large cities and industrial enterprises, so the water in it is clean. However, large settlements appear in the middle and lower reaches (from the mouth of the Vishera). Here, the waters of the Kama River are heavily polluted by industrial and domestic wastewater, and it also receives fairly polluted tributaries (Kosva, Chusovaya, etc.). It is difficult to establish how much wastewater is discharged, but in the Perm region alone, this figure, measured by ecologists, was about 100 cubic meters per day. At the same time, the volume of discharges is constantly growing, but their treatment remains at the same level. Experts consider the Kama River to be one of the most environmentally unfavorable Russian rivers and have repeatedly stated that its pollution wastewater threatens the health of people living on its banks.

Alloy

Route: usually rafted along the Upper Kama. The starting point depends on the water level in the river; usually they try to start the route as high upstream as possible.
Difficulty category: 1.

Volga - tributary of the Kama

Photo 2. The confluence of the Kama and Volga rivers.

For a long time, the Kama River has been considered the largest tributary of the Volga, however, recent hydrological studies have shown that in fact everything is different: after merging with the Kama, the current Volga is its continuation - all the way to the Caspian Sea. The primary proof of this is the significantly greater (almost 40%) water flow of the Kama River at its confluence with the Volga.

Kama - continuation of Vishera

Photo 3. Vishera is a tributary of the Kama, surpassing it in terms of spillway size. Author of the photo: LarisaX.

The mountain taiga river Vishera, running down from the western slopes of the Urals, is considered a tributary of the Kama. However, at the confluence of both rivers, the first is noticeably fuller, and should be considered the main river.

Fishing on the Kama River

Types of fish:
- Russian sturgeon
Artificial settlement: not all of the fish listed are native. In the second half of the 20th century, new inhabitants appeared in the Kama River - rotan, silver carp, grass carp and rainbow trout. The first one settled during the expansion of its range, the rest - thanks to human fish farming activities. Also, the following species are occasionally found here: eel, vendace, needle fish (they come from the Volga, which they penetrate through canals connecting it with the Black and Baltic seas). Separately, it is worth noting the beluga, stellate sturgeon and sturgeon, which previously - before the construction of reservoirs - were quite numerous native species, but at the present time they are represented only by individuals that escaped from fish farms; their natural populations have long since disappeared.

Fishing spots

The most interesting and “fishy” places on the river are considered to be the middle and lower reaches, as well as the reservoirs located in these areas.

Conventionally, the river can be divided into 3 sections:

Upper Kama- from the source to the mouth of the Veslyana. Here the river has not yet shown itself in full force. Fishing in this area is in many ways similar to fishing on other small lowland and semi-mountain rivers of the Volga basin. The most common fish in the catches are: perch, bleak, roach, bream, silver bream, chub, ide, asp, podust, pike. In the cold season, burbot is caught. There is information about the presence of grayling in the upper reaches; taimen can also come here.
Middle Kama- from the mouth of Veslyana to the Kama reservoir. The river from here is noticeably wider and deeper, as other (especially large) tributaries flow into it, it also becomes fuller. The ichthyofauna is replenished with such species as pike perch, white-eye, saberfish, carp (quite rare, concentrated in some places of the Kama Reservoir), catfish. Sturgeons appear, of which the most common is sterlet (its population is maintained artificially, this moment catching this fish is prohibited). There are known cases of taimen and, according to some sources, nelma being caught in these places. Closer to the reservoir, the river slows down, overflows heavily, and becomes deeper.
Lower Kama- from the dam of the Kama Reservoir to the confluence with the Kuibyshev Reservoir. Fishing here is in many ways similar to the previous section. Special attention It is worth paying attention to the constructed reservoirs - fish are found in them in abundance and reach decent sizes. The ichthyofauna is replenished with such species as blackfin, rudd, bluefish, as well as sprat, goby and herring.

Fishing Features

There are three most popular fishing methods on the Kama: with bottom tackle - from the shore, with a “ring” - from a boat, and with spinning - from a boat.

When fishing from the shore, simplified hooks or a feeder are usually used; some fishermen also use a traditional donka. The main catch here is bream; representatives of other white fish, such as roach, silver bream, and blue bream, are somewhat less common. It happens that catfish also bite, but here it all depends on the bait.

The “ring” is used mainly by bream specialists. Millet and pearl barley are loaded into the feeder; worms or maggots are usually used as bait; it works quite well as a plant alternative canned corn. This tackle, used exclusively from a watercraft, works much more efficiently than a donkey and a feeder, as it allows you to catch more deep places, inaccessible from the shore.

For the same reason, it is better to fish with a spinning rod from a boat. You can catch any fish with spinners and wobblers - from sabrefish to catfish, but experienced spinners definitely prefer to hunt for trophy pike perch (in pits) and pike (in bays), or asp (however, it is caught less often). Less demanding fishermen may well count on perch (which, by the way, forms cauldrons and is represented by very good specimens), or bersh - but it is not so often in the catches.

IN winter time Using jig tackle and trolling, the same types of fish are caught as in the summer, with the exception of hibernating ones. A separate topic is catching burbot in the dark - this is done by a certain “cohort” of fishermen. The usual weight of fish caught is from about one to three kilograms.