Zhigulevskoe Sea… Have you ever heard of such a geographical feature on the territory of the Russian Federation? As practice shows, not everyone can answer positively to this question. And it's not about illiteracy. Most likely, this is not surprising at all, because many of us have been accustomed to calling this reservoir the Kuibyshev reservoir since our school days.
This article will not only tell about this place, but also acquaint readers with its characteristic features and history of creation, and the Zhiguli Sea is actually capable of surprising.
Also, for the most inquisitive, interesting, but at the same time little-known facts will be provided.
Section 1. General Description
The Kuibyshev reservoir, now known to many as the Zhiguli Sea, was created in 1955-1957. as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric power station in the Volga River valley near Stavropol, in a town called Zhiguli.
Initially, the main purpose of building a power plant was to generate electricity. Initially, no one expected that a little more time would pass, and onone of the largest reservoirs in the world will appear in this place with a length of more than 500 km, a water surface area of 6.5 thousand km2 and a colossal volume of water - 58 km³.
Purely geographically, the Zhiguli Sea, which annually attracts not even hundreds, but hundreds of thousands of vacationers, reaches the valleys of the Kama, Sviyaga, Kazanka and other rivers.
It should be noted that the creation of the reservoir has almost completely changed the local climate. So, today the fluctuation of water levels is from 5 to 6 meters near Kazan, although before that it reached 10-11 m. In addition, the microclimate of the area has become different, numerous abrasions and landslides have begun.
Section 2. Is it necessary, the Zhiguli Sea?
Of course, with the onset of warm summer days, we all strive to escape to nature at least for a couple of days: to the ocean, sea, river or, at worst, to the lake. It is unlikely that anyone will deny the fact that the Zhiguli Sea provides a magnificent vacation, as they say, for every taste and budget. But, unfortunately, there is another side of the coin.
More than 55 years have passed since the founding of the Kuibyshev reservoir, and scientists are in no hurry to reassure the population of the Ulyanovsk region with good news.
During this time, the region lost the corner of the Memorial, the regional philharmonic society and entire residential streets were on the way near the water mass. 30 settlements, 196 hectares of land, kilometers of railways and highways went under water.
As a result of the natural disaster, a specialan evaluation commission designed to consider the conditions and possibilities for the resettlement of local residents. Many of them refused to leave their homes and had to be forcibly removed from their homes. Shortly after the streets and roads were flooded, coffins began to float. Cemeteries were washed out, and people still buried their relatives there.
In addition, cultural values went under water - a palace with a theater, previously located in the village. Arkhangelsk, a boarding school where the children of the nobility studied, including Ivan Goncharov. The church went under water.
Destruction continues with terrifying frequency.
Section 3. Fishing
But not everything is so bad, of course, there are positive aspects. For example, since the appearance of the Kuibyshev reservoir on the Volga, the inhabitants of the local fauna have changed somewhat, and now the total number of fish species ranges from 40 to 42. Scientists divide all these species into 6 faunal complexes:
- boreal-plain (pike, roach, ide, golovan, minnows, golden and silver carp, perches, ruffs, spines);
- freshwater amphiboreal (perch, carp, sterlet, catfish);
- pontic freshwater (bream, rudd, sabrefish, podust, asp);
- arctic freshwater (smelt, vendace, burbot, peled);
- pontic marine (round goby, tyulka, needle-fish, stellate walk);
- Chinese lowland (white carp, rotan firebrand, white and bighead carp).
However, fishing in these places should be treated withcaution. Even in the recent past, scientists discovered a high content of zinc in fish. Species not only mutate, changing their appearance, but can also be dangerous to humans. For example, in 1996, in the waters near the city of Tolyatti, an analysis of local inhabitants was made and it was found that deviations were observed in 49.4% of fish.
Section 4. Favorite vacation spot
The Samara-Zhigulevskoe Sea train is in demand at any time of the year, and not only in summer, as it might seem at first glance.
Of course, the history of the Kuibyshev reservoir is not joyful, but over time, its lower part was renamed the Zhiguli Sea, and its open spaces now attract many who want to have a good rest. The most popular recreation centers in the Republic of Tatarstan, namely in the Laishevsky district.
A good example of local hospitality, cordiality, excellent service and good location are the Mesto Vstrechi guest complex and the Kamskiye prostory recreation center. Both bases are located in very picturesque places where three rivers merge at once: the Volga, Kama and Mesha. This area is considered ideal for both fishing enthusiasts and cozy family vacations.
Especially for guests, boats are offered for rent and the opportunity to invite an escort for excursions to particularly remote places. The Zhiguli Sea (Samara) actually knows how to receive guests.
Section 5. Interesting and useful information
- The Kuibyshev reservoir covers the territories of two regions and three separate republics, namely the Samara and Ulyanovsk regions, the Tatar, Mari and Chuvash republics.
- The water level in the sea can vary within 6 meters. Fishing is widely developed on the territory of the reservoir. It can be enjoyed in Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Cheboksary, Sengilei, Dimitrovgrad, Chistopol, Zelenodolsk, Volzhsk, Tolyatti.
- Throughout the entire Kuibyshev reservoir there are numerous guest houses, medical bases, tourist bases, which led to an influx of lovers to have a good and inexpensive rest.
