In the 17th century, this river was called the Kilka River. According to A. F. Pashkov, its name appears as a kind of border between two peoples: the Tungus - sovereign people live “on the left side” of Kilka (to the north, where sable and fisheries are developed), and on the right side (to the south) they roam “Mungal princes" with ulus people - "non-peaceful men".
Today this river is called Khilok. Where does the river flow, located in the Khilok region of Transbaikalia? What are its features? About this little-known natural reservoir and some information is presented in this article.
Short description of the area
Khiloksky district is located in the southwestern territory of the Trans-Baikal Territory. On the southwestern side, it borders on the Krasnochikoysky district, and on the west, east and southeast, respectively, on the Petrovsky-Zabaikalsky, Chita and Uletovsky districts. The area of the district occupies more than 14 thousand square meters. kilometers. As of 2014, the population is over 30,100thousand people The administrative center of the district is Khilok.
The main water arteries are the Prodigal River and the Khilok River. Both reservoirs are characterized by a rather strong branching of the channel. All rivers flowing through the territory of the region belong to the basin of the lake. Baikal. The Malkhansky, Tsagan-Khurtey and Yablonovy mountain ranges stretch from the eastern part of the region to the west.
The area is crossed by the Trans-Siberian Railway. From the city of Khilok to Chita by rail, the distance is 260 kilometers, along the highway in the direction of Moscow - Vladivostok - about 330 kilometers. The nearest airport is located in the city of Chita (223 km from the regional center).
Description of the Khilok River in the Trans-Baikal Territory: source and mouth
Khilok flows through the territories of Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory. Its length is 840 kilometers, the drainage basin has an area of 38,500 square meters. km.
Hilok takes its beginning from Lake Arakhley, then flows through Lake Shakshinskoye (area - 53.6 sq. km). In the upper reaches, the river is connected by channels with several lakes, the largest of which is Irgen (area - 33.2 km²).
The waters of the river mainly flow along intermountain wide valleys (Bichurskaya, Khilokskaya, etc.) in a southwestern direction. In the lower reaches, about 90 kilometers from the mouth of the Khilok, it turns north at a right angle and at the end of its path flows into the Selenga River along its right bank, 242 kilometers from its mouth.
Hydrography, tributaries and settlements
Feeding the Khilok River inmostly rainy, in summer there is a flood. Water consumption per year at 22 kilometers from the mouth averages 97.6 cubic meters. meters per second. Freezing occurs in October or early November, opening - in April-May. Water freezes in the middle reaches from late December to April.
Main tributaries: Prodigal, Khila, Upper and Lower Khilkoson, Suhara, Bichura and Ungo.
The following settlements are located on the banks: Khilok, urban-type settlements - Tarbagatai, Mogzon, Sugar Factory, Novopavlovka; villages - Maleta, Maly Kunaley, Bada, Podlopatki, Katangar, Ust-Obor, Kataevo and many others.
Source Lake
Arakhley, from where Khilok originates, is the largest lake of the Ivano-Arakhley lake system, stretching in the south of the Vitim Plateau of the Trans-Baikal Territory. The distance to it from Chita is 40 kilometers. This natural reservoir belongs to the Khilok River basin.
The water surface has an area of 58.5 square meters. kilometers, the catchment area is 256 sq. km. The length of the lake is 10.9 km, the maximum width is almost 7 km. Arahley is located at an altitude of 965.1 m above sea level. The deepest place in the lake is the northeastern part of the reservoir (19.5 meters). Water is fresh, running, with mineralization from 100 to 200 mg/dm³.
Two small rivers flow into the reservoir - Gryaznukha (or Shaborta) and Domka. In high-water years, the Kholoi stream flows out of the lake, which flows into Lake Shakshinskoye. This is the beginning of the riverHealock.
The villages of Preobrazhenka, Arakhley and bases for summer holidays are located on the lake shores.
In conclusion, a little about fishing on the river
When talking about fishing in Buryatia, most people mean a fascinating and interesting trip to Lake Baikal - the deepest natural lake in the world. Fishing on Baikal is the dream of every lover of this activity, and there is an explanation for this: the composition of the ichthyofauna in the lake is diverse, and in addition to the usual varieties of fish, there are representatives adapted to local conditions.
Among several tributaries of the Selenga, Khilok deserves special attention. Fishing on the Khilok River of Buryatia is carried out throughout the year. The composition of the ichthyofauna of the river resembles neighboring reservoirs. Roach, perch, grayling, lenok, taimen are found here.
