Chirkey reservoir is the largest reservoir in the North Caucasus. It is located on the Sulak River in the Dagestan Republic. The reservoir is located at a distance of 140 km from the confluence of this water stream and the Caspian Sea. The founding date is 1974. During the creation, several nearby agricultural lands and settlements were flooded: the village of Chirkey and the special settlement of the builders of the Druzhba hydroelectric power station. On the map, the reservoir can be found at the following coordinates: 42°58' north latitude and 46°53' east longitude.
Characteristic
Chirkey reservoir in Dagestan covers an area of 42.5 km2. Its coastline is heavily indented, in places there are canyons and caves. Numerous bays and bays cut into low mountain formations. The reservoir is located in the narrow gorge of the Sulak River. The local scenic landscapes are vaguely reminiscent of the fjords of Norway.
The useful volume of the reservoir is 1.32 km3. The length of the coastline is more than 85 km. The reservoir stretches for 37.5 km in length, and the distance between opposite banks is on average 7 km. The maximum depth of this largest Dagestan reservoir is fixed at around 270 m. On the coast is the village of Chirkey, which gave the name to this reservoir, and the village of Dubki. The area in which it is located is seismically active. Fluctuations sometimes reach 9 points. The facility is used for water supply and fishing purposes.
Seasonal features
With the onset of cold weather, the level of the reservoir drops noticeably. This continues until the spring. And by the summer it rises again. The Chirkey reservoir, a photo of which can be seen in the article, significantly changed the flow of water and reduced the amount of sediment on the river. Sulak. Previously, water turbidity was more than 3 kg/m3, but now this figure does not exceed 1 kg/m3.
The reservoir carries out daily, seasonal and long-term regulation of water flows. In summer and autumn, intense waves, wind and runoff currents are observed here. The reservoir does not freeze in winter, the temperature in it rarely drops below +3 °C. Given the climatic features of the territory where Dagestan is located, the water begins to warm up already in April. In summer the temperature reaches +23 °C. Precipitation here is no more than 350-380 mm.
Underwater world
There are 23 different types of algae in this largest Chirkey reservoir. The natural underwater fauna has never been abundant here, so not only fish, but also crayfish were artificially introduced here. Today, such species as carp, barbel, trout, perch, chub live in the Dagestan reservoir. Fishing at the Chirkey reservoir is very popular.
In addition, this largest reservoir in the North Caucasus is regularly subjected to artificial stocking. Basically, several types of trout are introduced here. Despite the fact that fishing is very popular here (mainly carried out from swimming facilities), recreation centers and camps have not been built on the coasts. Tourists and locals who want to relax and fish on this artificial reservoir stay overnight in tents.
Environmental situation
Human activity has led to sad situations - deforestation, which in the past surrounded the Chirkey reservoir. And the point is not at all in vandalism, but in the fact that it was decided to make these areas more civilized and build new settlements on the sites of exterminated green spaces. However, this was not enough. Due to the fact that there were no heating systems running on blue fuel, the local population was forced to collect firewood to heat their homes. All this led to a significant deterioration of the environmental situation, for example, to soil erosion processes, landslides. But not everything is like thatsad, because visually some natural landscapes are preserved and unusually pleasing to the eye.
Flora and fauna of the region
Chirkey reservoir is surrounded by various representatives of the flora. Most of all here are desert shrubs, wormwood, bluegrass, s altwort. And along the nearby steppes one can see feather grass and immortelle. And among the animals living on the coasts of the largest North Caucasian reservoir, reptiles are most often found. Snakes live in the mountains, because their slopes are illuminated by the sun's rays. Among them, the snake, gyurza and snake are most common. In addition to snakes, some species of local lizards and turtles live here.
Chirkey reservoir has become home to many representatives of birds. Among them there are both predators and waterfowl. Some birds come here for the winter. In this area you can see species that are listed in the Red Book of the Dagestan Republic. And among the mammals in the surrounding areas live wild boars, foxes, ground squirrels, hares.
In closing
Located high in the mountains is the Chirkey reservoir. Rest here, as they say, is wild, without any benefits of civilization. Currently, the facility is intended to meet energy needs, as well as for industrial water supply to Dagestan settlements, including used for irrigation of agricultural land. You can get to this reservoir by private vehicle. road in the formserpentine, rather narrow. For those who do not have a car, it is recommended to use buses. You need to get to the village of Dubki, and from there - by taxi to the reservoir.
