The south-west of Crimea is famous for the Belbek river. She rightfully bears the title of the most full-flowing stream of the peninsula. The Belbek River originates in the main mountain range of the Crimea. It is there that the waters of karst springs provide nutrition to the watercourse. Let's take a closer look at its features.
Hydronym
Translated from the Turkic language, the name of the river means "strong or strong back." Why do such associations arise? Belbek certainly deserves a similar name. And all because during its spills it becomes a rapid stream with a strong current and as if on its back it carries away trees torn from the ground along with the root. Also, the Belbek River in the Crimea has another name - Cabarta, which means "pouting" or "swollen." Scientist P.S. Pallas tells a legend explaining the emergence of this toponym by the fact that Kabardins allegedly lived in the upper reaches of the watercourse. But there is also another option. It can be said, even more logical than the previous one, in translation means "the main narrow passage in the mountain."
Upper River Features
The upper reaches of Belbek are located on the slopes of the Crimean mountain range, more precisely, in the northwest. Here the channel is formed by two watercourses: Ozenbash and Managotra. These are real mountain rivers, which are stormy streams. Rather narrow, they swiftly carry their waters among the rocky slopes. The Belbek River until the moment it begins to flow between the Main and Inner ridges of the Crimean Mountains appears as a standard mountain stream with a fast current. Not far from the settlement of Golubinka, the channel increases significantly, amounting to about 40–50 meters wide. Belbek becomes narrower at the stage of crossing the Inner Range of the mountains. Here, the proud river reservoir forms the incredible beauty of Belbek Canyon.
Valley Description
The river valley at its narrowest point is about 300 m wide. The depth here reaches 160 m. On the right side of the river valley, archaeologists have discovered 2 grottoes, which were given the names Suyuren-I and Suyuren-II. The sites of Cro-Magnon people of the Late Paleolithic era were found in these caves. These settlements were engaged in hunting, gathering and fishing. These facts are confirmed by various remains and bones of aquatic representatives found during the study of this area.
Since 1969, the Belbek Canyon has been recognized as a natural monument and has become one of the most attractive sights created by nature. The river valley expands only closer to the sea.
Lower river characteristic
In the lower reaches, the river overcomes global drifts from clay, as a result of which it slows down the flow of its waters.
Since the peninsula has access to two seas, it is very interesting where the Belbek River flows? Watercourses of Crimea can belong to two basins: the Azov or Black Sea. The mouth of Belbek is located near the village of Lyubimovka, a few kilometers from the Sevastopol Bay. This is where the river flows into the Black Sea. The channel of the reservoir in this place is more like a ravine. In width, it reaches 25-30 meters.
In 1980, the Belbek channel was divided into two. This was due to the fact that the river often spilled. But after some time, the spills became infrequent, and at the moment there is water only in one valley.
Tributaries of the Belbek River
The largest inflow of Belbek can be called the Kokkozka watercourse. In length, it is about 18 km. And also the Auzun-Uzen and Sary-Su rivers are considered its tributaries. The first flows between Mount Boyko and Ai-Petrinskaya Yayla. This place is also called the Grand Canyon. Sary-Su is in the crevice, which is considered the Small Canyon. Here, this tributary turns into a waterfall flowing over mossy stones. It is called the Silver Jets and is considered the quietest waterfall, since, flowing down the moss, it creates almost no noise.
Animal world
As for the representatives of the flora of the most full-flowing river of Crimea, brook trout can be called its famous inhabitant . This beautiful fish, covered with small shiny scales, each scale as if surrounded by a white outline. Trout is a predator. She's pretty hard to see, as she is very shy. The favorite habitat of this species of trout is the Belbek River in the upper reaches. Most often, it can be seen under shallow waterfalls. Typically, trout reaches a length of 25-35 centimeters. However, rare and larger specimens are sometimes found.
sights
The Belbek River is famous for its unique natural monument, such as the Belbek Canyon. Also in the valley of the watercourse is the medieval Syuyrensky fortress. It was partially destroyed in 1475 by the Turkish invaders. Only small fragments of walls and a tower were preserved from the fortress, but still many tourists wish to see this building with their own eyes. Also not far from it is located no less remarkable place - Chelter-Koba Monastery, which is one of the famous cave monasteries of Crimea.
In the upper reaches of the most full-flowing river of Crimea in 1964, a hydraulic engineering complex was built. It combines three reservoirs: on the Biyuk-Uzenbash river, on the Managotra river and on the Karstovoy stream.