Vetluga is a river flowing in the central part of European Russia and is a left tributary of the Volga. A water body 889 km long flows through the territory of the Mari El Republic, the Kirov and Kostroma Regions.
Those who live in the Reclamation call themselves “Vetluga”. This appeal arose a long time ago. Now, most often, you can find the name "veterans" - it is more common.
Vetluga is a river (the map is presented below), which surprises with its landscapes and beauty.
Tales of the origin of the name
There are several options for the origin of the name of this river. Once upon a time, in the village, on the shore of an unnamed rivulet, lived a guy Vet and a girl Luga, who wanted to get married. However, the girl’s father was categorically against their marriage. Then Vet was going to swim for gold to prove - he is an enviable groom. During his absence, Luga came to the riverbank daily and sat waiting for her lover. But one night a terrible storm broke out, as a result of which the ship Veta threw herself on the rocks, and the young man drowned. Learning about this, heartbroken Luga threw herself into the stream and drowned, as she could not live without her beloved. Since then Vetluga is a river named in memory of that distant story of unhappy feelings.
However, another version of why the pond is called that way is not so romantic. The fact is that there were dense willow thickets on the banks of the river, and the “winds” were a variety of these trees. Also, there is a translation of the word Vetluga from the ancient Mari: “yuga” is a river, and “veteli” is a gull, more precisely, “River of gulls”. Most likely, during the time of the Mari settlers over the water surface, one could observe countless seagulls.
River features
Vetluga is a river that has a slow course, which makes it accessible to all comers. It is worth noting that the reservoir is navigable 700 km from the mouth. The banks of the stream are mostly high, some reach 63 m, and at the source - as much as 147 m!
The river freezes from the beginning of November to April, and replenishes the water reserves with melting snow. The average speed of Vetluga is about 7 km / h, and in some places the width reaches 50 m. On the total length of the coast, for the most part, it is overgrown with coniferous forest: fir, pine and spruce. The water stream is meandering, but there are few islands. Its bottom is predominantly silty, but near the tributary of the Paozer it becomes shallow and rocky.
Settlements
In the village of Bystri, located on the northern bank of the river, there is a beautiful wooden church. An amazing panorama of the Vetluzhsky open spaces opens from this village. Many settlements are located on the coastal line of the river: Krasny Yar, Podlysikha, Karasikha, Kladovka, Spasskoye and the village named after Mikheev, in which tourists rafting along Vetluga can stay for the night.
The value of the river and points located on its banks
Vetluga is a river that flows into the Cheboksary reservoir, and the city of Sharya stands on its shore. It has a logging plant, and countless logs are transported along rafts along the riverbed. It is worth highlighting the village of Red Baks, also located on the banks of Vetluga. It produces devices for aviation radio communications and medical equipment.
Vetluga River: fishing
We should also talk about the living creatures that inhabit the river basin. Just a huge number of fish: pike, zander, perch, asp, catfish, burbot. I must say that sterlet is also found, which, of course, indicates the purity of river water. Well caught on a spinning ide. This area is a paradise for fishermen.
Recreation facilities on the Vetluga River
The camp site, located in the Nizhny Novgorod region, with the legendary name "River Chaek", which has rooms for accommodation from standard to luxury class, provides its services to everyone. To ensure the leisure of tourists at the base there are: a volleyball court, shooting gallery, barbecue facilities, billiards, a country bath and “royal” (brooms, aromances, etc. are attached to it). A guarded parking lot is also built here. The last aspect, as a rule, is provided by almost all recreation centers on the Vetluga River.
Chalet "Sunflowers" offers its customers winter fishing in the pond, bike excursions to scenic spots and rafting and rafting. For your stay there are spacious cozy wooden cottages, the price of which includes three meals a day. Extreme sports services are also provided: a climbing wall and rope crossings.
The Vetluga recreation center offers its customers all the conditions in order to relax from the bustle of city life on the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers of the Russian Plain. Near the recreation area is the picturesque village of Troitskoye with the Old Russian Church, whose appearance is striking in magnificence, and the estate of the landowners Levashov, which, no doubt, makes visiting this base interesting for history buffs. Friendly houses with quality log cabins, friendly staff and home-made food in the dining room with countless pastries - all this awaits you at the Vetluga recreation center.
The beauties of nature inspire the beautiful
The Vetluga River (photo is in the article) has extremely picturesque beauties that inspired many cultural creators. For example, many remember the work of such great people as Pavel Ivanovich Melnikov-Pechorsky, Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko and Mikhail Mikhailovich Prishvin. Their works were dedicated specifically to the banks of this river.
“Vetluga’s strength is gaining from us, in the Kruglyzhsky forests and swaths,” wrote the poet Eduard Kulakov.