The nature of the Urals is beautiful and interesting. Recently, the influx of tourists to the Chelyabinsk region has increased. There is something to see here: high mountains, unique nature, clear lakes and deep caves. Dolgobrodskoye reservoir is a wonderful place for spending leisure time and communicating with nature.
Description and features
Dolgobrodskoe reservoir is the second largest reservoir in the Chelyabinsk region after Argazinskoe. The reservoir was artificially created on the Ufa River. Its length is more than 20 km, its width is almost 2 km, its depth varies from 6 to 25 m. 2. Small rivers flow into it - tributaries of Ufa, including:
- Big and Small Yegusta;
- Shigirka;
- Kizil;
- Sabanaevka;
- ottoman.
Due to the fact that the Dolgobrodskoe reservoir was formed recently, on its muddy and rocky bottom, there are stilltree roots and stumps. Numerous bushes grow in the immediate vicinity of the storage facility. The reservoir was built in a mountainous area, therefore it has an irregular configuration with capes, bays, peninsulas. An interesting geometric shape is favorable for fishing: even in windy weather, the waves here are not large, and it is comfortable for fishermen to fish. The area around the reservoir is also used for recreational purposes.
History of the creation of the reservoir
The reservoir was built to improve the water supply of Chelyabinsk and the cities located next to it - Kyshtym, Kopeysk, Korkino. Krasnoyarsk hydrogeologists in 1977 developed a project according to which, in the event of a severe drought, the level of the Argazinsky reservoir would not decrease due to the creation of an artificial reservoir. It was planned to combine the Dolgobrodskoye reservoir with the help of a canal with Lake Uvildy, connected to the Argazinsky storage facility, so that further water would enter the Shershenevskoye reservoir. It was assumed that in the spring water would accumulate in the new reservoir, capable of satisfying the needs of the population of the Ural cities in water. Ecologists considered the plan of specialists from the Krasnoyarsk Research Institute "Sibhydroproekt" dangerous for the lake.
The new reservoir was formed in 1990. Then, on the Ufa River, south of the village of Nizhny Ufaley, the Dolgobrodskoye reservoir appeared. Water management became more efficient after the construction of the dam. The artificial reservoir is located 140 km from Chelyabinsk and 162 km from Yekaterinburg. The trial run took place in 2009, when there wereidentified some technical shortcomings of the project. At the end of 2012, after a thorough revision, the plan for the construction of the reservoir was fully implemented and included in the Program for the development of the water complex of the Russian Federation.
Hydrochemical characteristics of the reservoir
The hydrochemical component of the reservoir is formed to a greater extent under the influence of natural factors. When the reservoir was filled, an increased concentration of harmful substances was observed in the water:
- easily oxidized substances - almost 20 times;
- phenol – 10 times;
- petroleum products - 2 times;
- iron – 12 times;
- ammonia - 2 times.
After 2 years, hydrological analysis revealed an excess of methane, hydrogen sulfide, and oxygen, on the contrary, became less. Slow flow exacerbated the contamination. To improve the quality of water, it was necessary to urgently manufacture a siphon to discharge sewage from the body of the dam into the downstream. Recently, the water quality has improved, but there is still a slight increase in the concentration of ammonium, silicon, and iron. This is due to leaching from rocks and intensive soil drainage.
Local nature and related stories
To create the Dolgobrodsky reservoir, a birch forest was flooded along the Ufa River and its tributaries. Nature in these places seems to be created for connoisseurs of contemplative relaxation. There are no settlements within walking distance - solid taiga and eternal peace. To the south of the reservoir are the Shigirsky Sopki,renowned for their beauty. Next to them you can see the remains of the Azyash-Ufimsky iron-smelting and iron-making plant of industrialist Demidov, burned down almost three hundred years ago by supporters of Emelyan Pugachev.
At a distance of 5 km is the Kurma mountain range (the name originates from the Turkic male name Kurma, Kurmi, popular among the Tatars and Bashkirs). This is a picturesque extensive ridge near the village of Novy Ufaley in the north of the Chelyabinsk region, stretching from the northwest to the southeast for 9 km. Its maximum height above sea level is 720 m, to the south it drops to 541 m. The top of the mountain range is decorated with rocks made of quartz rocks.
Locals and guides tell the story of robbers hiding in the local caves by word of mouth. A popular legend is that a cannon was hidden on Kurma since the time of the Peasants' War under the leadership of Emelyan Pugachev. Many swear that they saw it themselves, but for hundreds of years the cannon had firmly rooted into the ground, and it was impossible to move it. At the same time, it is not clear where she is now: someone managed to hide the cannon, or she "became invisible" and is not shown to everyone …
Not far from the bridge on the reservoir is the old mining village of Slyudorudnik. Until the early 1960s, bauxite ore was mined here, which was used in the defense industry. Currently, the territory has been transformed into a recreational zone, consisting of an eco-trail and a protected part. In these parts, tourists go underground with interest, inspect the branched passagesold workings in the mountain or walk admiring the beautiful scenery.
Along the western part of the ridge are the upper reaches of Ufa, which are distinguished by crystal clearness. From Kurma there is a wonderful view of the Dolgobrodskoe reservoir. In the vicinity of the ridge there is a border between the Southern and Middle Urals. This place is interesting for its vegetation, here you can see thickets of maples rare in the Urals. The nearby forests are home to wild animals and birds (Tawny Owl, roe deer, wolves, foxes).
Things to do at the reservoir
About how interesting it is to relax on the Dolgobrodsky reservoir, tourists say that hard-to-reach taiga forests seem to be specially created for wild recreation. Residents of nearby settlements often come here to spend the weekend away from the bustle of the city. They gather mushrooms and berries, inspect the area, photograph landscapes, sunbathe on the banks of rivers and lakes. Outdoor enthusiasts play paintball, go diving, swim on catamarans and boats, ride ATVs. Many come here specifically to go fishing.
Fishing in the reservoir
Fishing is a hobby that unites men and some women. It combines the admiration of amazing landscapes, a relaxing holiday away from the noisy city and exciting excitement in anticipation of a big bite. On the Dolgobrodsky reservoir, fishing is a popular form of recreation available throughout the year, despite the fact thatsurrounding areas are difficult to access. There is also commercial fishing. Different types of fish live in lakes and rivers:
- pike;
- zander;
- bream;
- burbot;
- ide;
- chebak;
- perch and many others.
To maintain the number of fish, spawning and stocking of the reservoir are used. Recreation on the Dolgobrodsky reservoir can be interesting and productive, and reviews on fishing forums confirm this. Fishermen believe that in these parts the best bite occurs in late autumn, when the first ice appears, or in spring, when the ice begins to melt. In summer, most often you can catch scavengers and chebak - float, side or bottom gear. Perch and pike are caught by circles and trolling (trolling along the bushes is one of the popular types of fishing here). Fishing is convenient both from the shore and from a boat. In winter, burbots and pikes are used to catch burbots, and to pull chebak, perch and bream, they use hook-and-eye gear. Pike like the coastal strip, and bream like the old channel of Ufa.
Where to stay
Some tourists who come to the reservoir at the weekend often spend the night in a tent or in a car, and those who come for a few days stay at a tourist base or a boarding house. On the Dolgobrodsky reservoir, recreation centers are located on the picturesque banks. You can stay in log guest houses, modern apartments, brick cottages and other types of houses. Tourists are offered comfortable accommodation, interesting holidays in protected areas.
The bases have a developedinfrastructure, including sports and playgrounds, barbecue areas, baths, beaches, cafes and bars. Rental of boats, catamarans, beach equipment and sports equipment is provided. In summer, vacationers can go diving, play tennis and billiards. In winter, go ice skating and skiing. Living at some bases, you can take courses in landscape design, drawing, yoga, try yourself as a blacksmith and potter. Tourists are offered to visit master classes and go on excursions to a deer farm. Families with children, single tourists, youth companies, and hold corporate events on the territory of the bases.
Chelyabinsk region is decorated with numerous rivers and lakes, they are charmingly beautiful and clean. Dolgobrodskoye reservoir is a good choice for energy recovery and fishing. Recreation in the vicinity of this reservoir is not yet as popular as on the Istra or Sheksna reservoirs. But this has its own charm: it is here that you can see nature in its pristine beauty, switch off for a while from the problems and worries that worry you in the metropolis.
