Ucha River: from antiquity to the present

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

Russia has always been famous for a large number of rivers on its territory. Along the rivers, they built cities, erected fortresses, engaged in fishing, moved and discovered new lands. Also, the Ucha River, seemingly quite small, has its own history, which continues to this day.

Geography

This river, only 42 kilometers long, originates near the village of the state farm Ostankino. On its way, it absorbs five tributaries into the basin. The first river from the source, which flows into the river Ucha - Akulikha. Downstream, the following rivers flow into Ucha: Samoryadovka, Razderikha, Skalba and the largest tributary Serebryanka. Passing through the Pyalovskoye and Uchinskoye reservoirs in the Pushkinsky district of the Moscow region, the river continues its course further. There it flows through the cities of Pushkin and Ivanteevka.

The river makes its way through four districts of the Moscow region: Dmitrovsky, Mytishchi, Pushkinsky and Shchelkovo districts, and flows into the left bank of the Klyazma River, which is one of the largest tributaries of the Oka.

The water here is clean, as a lot of cold springs beat near the banks and along the bottom of the river. Local residents draw water from springs for drinking.

Historical background

The first mention of the river Ucha is found in documents dated 1401. On both banks, archaeologists have discovered sites of people from the Neolithic era, which dates back to the third millennium BC. At the border of the 11th and 12th centuries, the Vyatichi and Krivichi came to these lands. Here they built their settlements, uniting clans into tribes. This is evidenced by burials with elements of signs of the past culture, found by archaeologists on the high banks of the river.

The Ucha River in Pushkino plays a significant role in creating the name of the modern city. It is known that the city of Pushkin, founded in 1710, got its name from the boyar Georgy Pushka. But in folk etymology, the city got its name from the river on which it was founded. So, Ucha, having undergone morphological changes, turned into Pushkin (according to Ucha - according to Usha - Poushkino - Pushkin).

Listvyany, modern Mamontovka

The village of Listvyany, due to the extensive urbanization of the 20th-21st centuries, turned over time into one of the microdistricts of the city of Pushkin in the Moscow region, which is now called Mamontovka. In fact, Listvyany is only a small part of this microdistrict, it also includes the former settlement of Nikolo-Kudrino and Novospassky.

There used to be two boat stations in Listvyany village. During the summer months, locals used to gather on the banks to swim. A lot of cold springs beat along the bottom and banks of the Ucha River, which even in the hot months does not allow running water to warm up toacceptable temperature. The most daring jumped from the railway bridge. Now this is a danger, since the depth of the bottom in this district is approximately three meters.

Akulovskaya HPP

Akulovskaya HPP is part of the Moscow Canal system, the construction of which began in 1932 and ended in 1937. The construction of the canal took place at the expense of the forces of the Gulag prisoners. It was named after the former village of Akulovka, which was flooded when the canal was filled. One of the few bridges across the Ucha River is also located here.

The main structure of the Akulovsky hub is a long earthen dam, 1850 meters long and 24 meters high. This dam forms the Uchinsk reservoir. Two additional dams separate the reservoir from the shipping hub of the Moscow Canal.

During the war, the Akulovskaya HPP generated a large amount of energy, providing the Moscow region with electricity. Currently, after a long operation, the HPP needs to be modernized. However, even in this state, it retains its performance, gives high rates of energy production.

Fishing and recreation

In the waters of the river, mainly in the Pushkin and Shchelkovsky districts, there are various types of fish. This river is very famous among the locals and is very popular among those who want to relax in nature.

Here they catch: pike, perch, bream, burbot, ruff, even burbot and other fish species of the Moscow region are rare. The forests are predominantly mixed; oaks, pines, spruces grow along the banks,maples, ash and aspens. A large abundance of plants near the reservoir in the form of reeds, duckweeds and sedges. In the water you can see water lilies that bloom in the first months of summer. It is pleasant to relax here with the whole family on weekends or with friends at any time of the year. The banks can be easily reached by road or choose a place near one of the cities through which the river flows.

Spending your free time on the winding banks of the river is a pleasure. Although it is small, but here you can choose a vacation from civilized to wild. And in hot weather, typical for the middle lane in the summer months, you can cool off in cool waters.

The sanatorium "Marfinsky" was built on the 24th kilometer along the Dmitrovsky highway. Here you can have a good time and improve your he alth. The resort offers boats for rent and an equipped beach. And this is not the only sanatorium on Ucha that offers its services to vacationers.