Krasnodar Reservoir is an artificial reservoir on the Kuban River in the Republic of Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory of Russia. It is the largest in the North Caucasus.
Through the eyes of a tourist
The first thing you notice when you get to these places for the first time is a huge mass of water that hangs over the city. Immediately there is a feeling of bewilderment: how are people not afraid to live here? Driving along the dam through the spillway, which is clad in smooth concrete banks, one can observe the bewitching foamy element beating against the iron gates, like a beast wanting to break out of its shackles onto the plain spreading in front of it. The height of the water here is noticeably higher than the bustling life below, on the plain. More recently, the dam of the Krasnodar reservoir was guarded by military equipment, for example, there was an armored personnel carrier above the spillway, now it is not visible. However, if you decide to go into the protected area (forbidden signs warn about it), then an armed man will appear from under the ground. While he approaches you, you will have time to personally appreciate the full power of this technical structure of the twentieth century, which, by the way, does not even show the oppositecoast.
Antiquities of the Kuban Sea
It is much safer to view the Krasnodar reservoir from the side of the Starokorsunskaya station, there is no longer a dam, but there is a free access to the water. In winter, the water level drops so much that sandbars form. The remains of washed-out banks rise like fantastic ruins looking at the Krasnodar reservoir. Rest in these places will bring you an unforgettable experience. Locals love to fish here, and if you're lucky, they also like antique vessels, which from time to time wash out the waves from the thick cultural layer from Starokorsunskaya to the former riverbed towards Ust-Labinsk. People are attracted not only by fishing on the Krasnodar reservoir, but also by black archeology. However, the police are also on the alert, annual raids bring a rich harvest of red-handed diggers of all stripes. Every spring, the earth falls off the coast under the impact of the waves, exposing the layers of the past millennia, most of which the waves carry with them to the bottom of the reservoir. Local residents of Starokorsunskaya tell how one of the springs, a huge, completely intact amphora fell into the water from a cliff. Once a group of some Germans came here. The "Hans" offered to carry out cleaning work at the bottom of the reservoir at their own expense - this is a huge amount of work. However, they set the condition that everything found at the bottom was taken away. Our officials refused such "help".
Through the eyes of archaeologists
Aslan Tov(Adyghe archaeologist) has been working on the flat part of Adygea and the banks of the Krasnodar reservoir for more than thirty years. He says that in 1999-2003, together with a group of archaeologists from France, he explored burial grounds, settlements, settlements and mounds on the southern shore of the Krasnodar reservoir. Of the entire range of objects, only twelve settlements belonged to the Maikop culture. Thanks to the equipment brought by the French side, it was possible to find out that this culture is a thousand years older than previously thought. The well-known archaeologist A. Leskov brought the leadership of Adygea to the discovered exhibits in order to show the officials what we alth is under their feet. And what? As a result, the French delegation curtailed their work and left. The leader of the expedition, Bertil Lyonne, was indignant that he had come here to explore antiquities, and not to sponsor officials of various levels. This is such a harsh reality…
From the memoirs of Soviet archaeologists
So, the reader has already understood that all the land in the area is considered an archaeological value. Today you can even hear claims that the oldest gold jewelry in Europe was found here. So, under the layer of water there are twelve settlements of the ancient Maykop culture, in addition, many ancient settlements, burial mounds and medieval cemeteries. Naturally, in the sixties, just before the flood, archaeological groups worked here. However, the surveys were carried out both day and night under constant urging "kicks"builders. The head of the group of scientists, N. V. Anfimov, said that they had to work under the headlights or lamps at temperatures from two minutes to plus four degrees Celsius. Today, the memory of some historical finds, most of which were made on the territory of the current Kuban Sea, is immortalized. For example, in Maikop one of the streets is called Kurgannaya. In 1972, on the site of the mound (the intersection of Podgornaya and Kurgannaya streets), a monument was erected - a vertical stone slab, decorated with the image of objects that were discovered during excavations.
What's at the bottom?
The construction of the Krasnodar reservoir led to the flooding of a vast territory - 420 square kilometers. Twenty villages and farms were flooded, and even part of Krasnodar. People were forcibly moved to new places. Many did not want to move, and this is understandable, because many generations of their families lived on this land. About fifty cemeteries were flooded. Most of them were previously filled with concrete. So the Krasnodar reservoir caused a lot of curses from the locals.
Building problem
From the day it was built, the object has been a source of criticism. In addition to flooding settlements, arable land, archaeological sites, burial grounds, etc., it creates a number of serious inconveniences for the region. This is a rise in the level of groundwater, swamping of territories, a change in the microclimate and, most importantly, the danger of flooding. After all, this is a monumental building.is located in a seismically dangerous area, over the past few years five medium-sized earthquakes have been recorded here. According to experts, the dam will be able to withstand shocks of magnitude 4-5. In this regard, many are interested in the technical condition of the Krasnodar reservoir.
Time to do something
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also expresses serious concerns about this facility. Indeed, having examined the reservoirs of the Krasnodar Territory, a special commission came to the conclusion that it was necessary to repair this particular dam. During its existence, major repairs have never been carried out here, the infrastructure of the facility is in a very deplorable state. The greatest concern among specialists is caused by a segment of five hundred meters in length. On it, cracks from 20 to 50 centimeters were formed in the concrete pavement. Today, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations recognized the Krasnodar reservoir as a dangerous facility and took it under its permanent control.
Krasnodar reservoir: recreation
Despite the above problems, this water body is a popular holiday destination for many residents not only of the Krasnodar Territory, but also of other regions of Russia. The climate here is hot, steppe. The reservoir and the Kuban River are a kind of frontier: on one side of the steppe, and on the other - a plateau and mountains. In summer, the temperature here reaches plus 35 degrees Celsius, and in winter it often drops below zero. The resort town of Krasnodar is located on the banks of the reservoir. Touristscan admire the architecture of buildings of the nineteenth century, in addition, there are a lot of interesting monuments, parks, beaches, entertainment centers. Krasnodar is the capital of the Kuban Cossacks, so literally everything here is imbued with the spirit of this culture. Vacationers will be offered delicious Cossack cuisine, show programs with dancing. In the city itself and on the coast of the reservoir there are many hotels, boarding houses and recreation centers.
Beaches and sights of Krasnodar
There are two official beaches in the city. The first of them is called Old Kuban, it is located on Parusnaya Street. The beach is fully equipped and equipped, in addition, there is a water park and an entertainment center, which are very popular. The second beach is located next to the CHP. Due to this neighborhood, it is less popular, despite the fact that it is also equipped and meets all the wishes of vacationers.
Tourists often call Krasnodar "Russian Paris". He deserved such an epithet for his lush greenery, fountains and squares, as well as an abundance of open summer cafes on shady streets and alleys. It is pleasant to stroll around this city on foot, admiring the numerous monuments and ancient architecture of its central part. Tourists are advised to visit Catherine's Square (a monument to Catherine the Second is erected here), see St. Catherine's Cathedral, a monument to Aurora, see the Alexander Triumphal Arch, admire the finest work of the openwork Shukhov Tower. Outside the city, you can visit mud volcanoes, rocks and gorges, waterfalls anddolmens.
Krasnodar reservoir: fishing
This body of water is very popular with fishing enthusiasts. From the shore they mainly catch silver bream, ram, sabrefish, crucian carp, rudd, roach, perch; large bream (it is represented by several age groups), pike perch, catfish and asp are fished from the water. In addition, barbel, minnow, chub, silver carp, bleak live in the Krasnodar reservoir.
From the beginning of June to November, at the entrance to the reservoir in the predawn hour, the sound of numerous quoks with which the fishermen hit the water is heard. These are catfish. Depths in the places of their fishing range from four to fifteen meters. The catfish stands here at the edge of the old channel of the Kuban River, which is now hidden by the waters of the artificial sea. The distance between the boats is 50-60 meters. There are practically no newcomers among them. They usually hunt alone, each of them has been catching catfish here for several years.
