Charysh is the third largest river flowing in the Altai Mountains. Its length is 547 km, and the catchment area is 22.2 km 2 . Most of this reservoir (60%) is located in the mountains. The Charysh River is a tributary of the Ob.
Physico-geographical description
The source of Charysh is located on the northern slope of the Kogornsky ridge in the East Kansk region of the Altai Mountains, at an altitude of more than 2000 m. Ustye (the place where the river flows into the Ob) is located above the village of Ust-Charshsky pier.
The river flows in a territory with a temperate continental climate. Almost the entire pool is located in the forest zone.
Characteristics of the Charysh River Flow in the Altai Territory | description of the area | flow rate (m / s) |
| top part | mountain | 3-4 |
| middle part | mountain | 2–2.5 |
| Bottom part | plain (slope 0.12-0.76%) | 1-1.5 |
The mountain part of the river is limited:
- from the north - by the Beshchalak ridge;
- from the south - Gorgon and Tigerinsky heights;
- from the east - by the Terektinsky ridge.
Throughout the river (except for the lowlands) there are differences in depth. The last 25 km of the channel pass along the Ob floodplain.
On the Pre-Altai plain, Charysh forms a river valley with four steep macrobends. Below the confluence of the Sentelek tributary, the river has a wide swampy floodplain up to 1.7 m high. The width of the floodplain varies from 2 to 7 km.
Tributaries
The Charysh River has more than 40 tributaries, among which there are several main.
| rights | left |
Bashchelak, Maralikha, Tulata, Korgon, Sosnovka, Sentelek | Idol, Elbow, Inya, Korgon, White, Poroziha |
Due to the great fall, the left tributaries of Charysh are very turbulent.
Shipping opportunities
Navigation on the Charysh River is possible only in the area between the village of Ust-Kalmanka and the point lying 80 km closer to the source. Previously, this section of the channel was considered an important transport route intended for the export of grain and agricultural products.
As a result of in-depth work carried out in the mid-19th century, this section became suitable for barges and passenger ships, however, at present, shipping on Charysh is completely absent.
Water mode
The Charysh River has a mixed diet. The greatest contribution is made by melting snow. The average water flow rate is 192 m 3 / s.
The water temperature in the upper reaches is cold in summer, and in the lower reaches it can warm up to 20 ° . In winter, the river freezes (the upper part - in December, the plain - in late October). Ice breaks in late March.
In the period from April to July, melting of snow on the plain and in the mountains causes a flood that has a stretched and multi-peak character. The maximum water level in the Charysh River is noted:
- at the end of April - 5 m;
- in the middle of May - 3 m;
- at the end of May - 2.5 m.
These peaks move up the channel, accompanying the melting of snow. As a result, in April the level of the Charysh River rises most strongly in the lowland, and at the end of May - in the upper reaches. High water is accompanied by flooding of the floodplain.
The period of freezing lasts from the first half of November to the beginning or mid-April. Furthermore, the ice thickness is about 1.5 meters. The formation of congestion during the spring ice drift also leads to an increase in water level and flooding of the floodplain.
Flora and fauna
The forest zone of the Charysh river basin is divided into mountain and plain. The first is dominated by trees such as spruce and fir. Above the Kogornsky ridge there is a zone of alpine meadows, characterized by bright forbs. The mid-mountain landscape is represented by cedar-fir forest. In the treeless river valley there is an abundance of shrubbery plants, including berry plants.
The fauna is typical of the forest zone. The zone of the basin is inhabited by large mammals (elk, wolf, bear, lynx), as well as smaller ones (hare, squirrel, roe deer, sable, etc.). The pool abounds with game birds. The following types are found:
- capercaillie;
- black grouse;
- partridge;
- grouse.
The river itself is characterized by the presence of a large number of fish species. The main inhabitants are:
- pike;
- chebak;
- burbot;
- bream;
- taimen;
- grayling;
- undergrowth;
- nelma;
- crucian carp;
- a branch
- perch;
- zander.
Such an abundance of aquatic inhabitants is a good help for fishing.
Tourism
Charysh is considered a natural and historical attraction of the Altai Territory. There are a large number of tourist routes on the territory, as well as recreation centers.
Tourism on the Charysh River has 4 main areas:
- hiking trails;
- speleo routes;
- alloys;
- horse rides.
Caving routes are conducted in the region of mountainous slopes located along the banks of the river. There are a large number of caves.