From the slopes of the Altai Mountains rushes into the Biya Valley - a beautiful and full-flowing river, the largest in size is only inferior to the Katun River, with which it merges, forming the Ob.
general characteristics
Biya is born in the Altai mountains, at an altitude of more than 400 meters above sea level. The Teletskoye Lake serving as its source is considered the most beautiful in the Altai Territory. The length of the river is more than 300 kilometers, and its path runs through the territory of the Turochak district.
Like many mountain rivers, Biya is a not wide river, but quite deep, in some places its depth reaches 7 meters.
Due to the elevation difference, especially in its upper reaches, there are many rifts, rapids and whirlpools. Almost every one of them has its own name, history or beautiful legend. The elevation difference (from more than 400 meters above sea level at the headwaters to 160 in the Biysk area) provides the river with a good energy reserve.
Ginger in the upper reaches, in its lower reaches, Biya calms down and forms many islands, shallows and reaches.
Tourists who are here are surprised how transparent the water is in the river. Biya in this regard compares favorably with the muddy Katun. Crystal clear water, as well as the beautiful nature of the mountainous region, make Biya very attractive for lovers of outdoor activities, including rafting and fishing.
From mouth to source
Biya begins his journey from Lake Teletskoye. In the language of the indigenous population of Altai, it is called Altinkel - Golden Lake. Indeed, its landscape is striking in its beauty, and as early as 30 years the lake and the surrounding area became a nature reserve.
The banks of the river, covered with fir and cedars, are unusually picturesque. In the forests there are many berries and medicinal plants, for which Altai is famous. The fauna of forests and mountain slopes is also diverse - 70 species of animals and more than 300 species of birds. There are serious predators such as a bear, a wolverine, a wolf, and a lynx. And from the birds you can find even a very rare black crane.
And between these calm and beautiful shores Biya rushes - the river, which the Altaians call "the lord of the water." Between the village of Artybash and Verkhne-Biysk there are 7 large rapids, the most interesting of which is Kipyatok. Biya is breaking on stones, and water literally boils. On the same site is a dangerous whirlpool Kruzhilo.
After the influx of a large tributary of the Cygnus, the level of the Biya River rises, and it calms down. Not far from the place where the Swan flows into, there is an interesting attraction - a rock with a bas-relief of Lenin embossed on it, popularly called the Iconostasis.
Below Biysk - the largest settlement on the river - the flow becomes unhurried and even lazy, right down to the place where the rivers merge. Biya and Katun are turning into the majestic Ob.
Tributaries of the Biya River
In the upper reaches, many rivers and streams flow into Biya, and there are quite large ones. These include Sarykoksha with a tributary of Uymen, Pyzhy, Neney. They start high in the mountains and feed on glacial waters. In some mountain rivers, including Bie itself, gold is found. Presumably it was here that the Scythians mined the precious metal.
The largest tributary of Biya is the Lebed River, which flows from the Abakan Range on the border with Khakassia. It is considered the warmest in the Altai Mountains, since, despite its width, it is shallow, and the water in it warms up well in the summer.
Fishing and tourism
Biya is a river well known to tourists and fishermen. Amazingly beautiful nature and the purest mountain air made the coast of Biya an attractive holiday destination. There are sanatoriums, recreation centers, tourist complexes and campsites.
Rafting is organized along the river, including kayaking and rafting. Traveling along the pristine waters of Biya between the picturesque shores, overcoming rapids and whirlpools causes a storm of emotions. Rafting along Bie is quite difficult (the second category), but there are experienced instructors at tourist centers.
Biya is a river rich in fish. Here are found not only habitual for the Central European resident bream, ide, roach, burbot and pike perch. A lucky angler can catch more exotic fish species such as grayling, lenok, chebak and even taimen. Throughout the river there are many suitable places for fishing: rifts, whales, islets, etc.
A variety of tourist camps located on the shores of Lake Teletskoye and along the river, make fishing quite comfortable.
Legends of the Altai Mountains
The Biya and Katun rivers have long been revered by the peoples of Altai. Many beautiful legends and fairy tales are composed about them, in which Biya embodied masculine strength and perseverance, and Katun - female willfulness. These two rivers appear in legends either as spouses, constantly quarreling, and then merging together, then as a guy and a girl running away from their parents' house for their beloved.
Here is one of these legends, perhaps the most romantic.
It happened a very long time ago. The rich Khan of Altai had a beautiful daughter, Katun. She fell in love with the simple shepherd Biya and was very homesick for him. Khan Altai learned about this, was very angry and decided to quickly give his daughter in marriage to a man he pleased. Katun did not want to submit to her father’s will and ran away from home, and the khan gathered an army and sent him in pursuit of the wayward daughter.
Then Katun turned into a river and rushed from the rocks into the valley. Upon learning of this, Biy also turned into a river and rushed after his beloved. The enraged Altai erected impregnable rocks on the way of his daughter. Katun fought for a long time about them, but nevertheless it broke through to freedom and merged with its beloved Biy in a wide valley.