Zhiguli Sea ... Have you ever heard of such a geographical object in the Russian Federation? As practice shows, not everyone can answer positively to this question. And it’s not at all about illiteracy. Most likely, this is not at all surprising, since many of us from the school bench are used to calling this reservoir the Kuibyshev Reservoir.
This article will not only tell about this place, but also introduce readers to its characteristic features and history of its creation, and the Zhiguli Sea can actually surprise.
Also, for the most curious, 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 station in the Volga river valley near Stavropol, in a town called Zhiguli.
Initially, the main goal of the construction of the power plant was to generate electricity. Initially, no one expected that a little more time would pass, and at this place one of the largest reservoirs in the world with a length of more than 500 km, an area of a water mirror of 6.5 thousand km 2 and a colossal volume of water - 58 km³ will appear.
Purely geographically, the Zhiguli Sea, the vacation on 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 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 meters. In addition, the microclimate of the area became different, numerous abrasions and landslides began.
Section 2. Is it necessary, the Zhiguli Sea?
Of course, with the onset of warm summer days, we all strive for at least a couple of days to break out into the nature: 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 wonderful vacation, as they say, for every taste and budget. But, unfortunately, there is a flip side to 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 appeared on the way near the water mass. 30 settlements, 196 hectares of land, kilometers of railways and highways went under the water.
As a result of the disaster, a special appraisal commission was created to examine the conditions and opportunities for relocation of local residents. Many of them refused to leave their homes, and they had to be forced out of their homes. Shortly after the flooding of streets and roads, coffins began to surface. The cemeteries were blurred, and people still buried their relatives there.
In addition, cultural values went under the water - a palace with a theater, previously located in the village. Arkhangelsk, a boarding school in which children of noblemen studied, including Ivan Goncharov. The church went under the water.
The destruction continues at horrific intervals.
Section 3. Fishing
But not everything is so bad, of course, there are positive aspects. For example, since the appearance of the Kuybyshev 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 subdivide all these species into 6 faunal complexes:
- boreal-flat (pike, roach, ide, golovan, gudgeon, gold and silver crucian carp, perch, ruff, spike);
- amphiboreal freshwater (zander, common carp, sterlet, catfish);
- Pontic freshwater (bream, rudd, sabrefish, podust, asp);
- Arctic freshwater (smelt, vendace, burbot, peled);
- Pontic sea (round goby, tyulka, fish needle, starry walk);
- Chinese plain (grass carp, head-rotan, white and variegated silver carp).
However, fishing in these places should be treated with caution. In the recent past, scientists found 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 – Zhiguli Sea electric train is in demand at any time of the year, and not just in the 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 wish to have a good rest. The most popular recreation centers in the Republic of Tatarstan, namely in Laishevsky district.
A good example of local hospitality, cordiality, excellent service and a good location are the venue "Meeting Place" and the recreation center "Kama open spaces". 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 lovers and for a cozy family holiday.
Especially for guests are offered boat rental and the ability to invite an escort for excursions to very 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. On the territory of the reservoir, fishing is widely developed. They can enjoy it in Kazan, Ulyanovsk, Cheboksary, Sengiley, Dimitrovgrad, Chistopol, Zelenodolsk, Volzhsk, Tolyatti.
- Throughout the Kuibyshev reservoir, there are numerous guest houses, medical centers, tourist camps, which led to an influx of lovers to have a good and inexpensive rest.