Shulbinsk reservoir: description, rest, rumors about the dam

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

7 large rivers carry their waters on the territory of Kazakhstan. The length of each of them exceeds 1 thousand kilometers. There are also 13 reservoirs in the republic, their total volume is more than 85 km3.

The Shulba reservoir is located on the river called the Irtysh. The reservoir is formed by the hydroelectric power station of the same name. The building is located near the eastern border of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The nearest large settlement is the city of Semey (until 2007 it was called Semipalatinsk), located 70 kilometers upstream of the Irtysh.

The rumor that the Shulba reservoir broke through covered the towns and villages that were located in the district. A few years ago, someone with bad intentions decided to notably play a trick on the residents. Subsequently, a huge panic was raised, while the dam remained intact.

Rest on the reservoir

Many people come here to fish. In the pond you can catch pike perch, bream, roach and even pike! Are cominghere also just lovers to relax on the beach. By the way, the shore near the reservoir is not sandy. This contributes to the fact that the beach does not heat up so much. In some places, there is a rather strong set of depth, which will not suit everyone.

Kite

The kitesurfers also come to the Shulba reservoir. They note that there are quite predictable winds here. And their peak is approximately at 17-18 hours. Other athletes say that the wind is ragged and gusty. That is, it is better for beginner kitesurfers to wait a little while riding on the Shulba reservoir. The wind near the surface of the water is weaker than a few meters above - ideal for a kite, but losing for windsurfing. But this does not mean that there is absolutely nothing to do here for lovers of this sport. As they say, there is a place for everyone. On such a reservoir as the Shulba reservoir, high waves do not have time to rise, which allows you to ride on almost flat water.

Description of the reservoir

The reservoir has a large area, namely 255 km². Controversial data are presented about its size. Some sources talk about a volume of more than 50 km^{3. This figure cannot be plausible. In this case, the depth of the reservoir should reach about 200 meters or more.}

Construction

As already mentioned, the reservoir was formed by the Shulbinskaya HPP, the first part of which was put into operation in 1987. The construction of this station was delayed for a very long time. For several years, the formationthe gateway was transferred to a private company. She, in turn, did not fulfill the obligation to build. The project was transferred back to the state. Thus, the shipping lock was only opened in 2004

In 2010, a lot of snow fell in the vicinity of such a reservoir as the Shulba reservoir. In the spring, it naturally began to melt. That is why work on strengthening the dam was started on the dam.

During the fortification works in the city of Semey, someone spread a rumor about a crack in the dam. Subsequently, this legend has grown very much, new facts and details have appeared. In the end, this seriously frightened the inhabitants of the city. "Specially knowledgeable" people claimed to have seen a dam break and a multi-meter wave that is moving towards the city at a speed of about 40 kilometers per hour.

Residents of Semey called the Ministry of Emergency Situations. They figured out what to do in the event of a disaster, in what shelter to hide from such an amount of water that would be brought by a wave from such an artificial reservoir as the Shulbinsk reservoir. The break of the dam greatly amused the workers of the hydroelectric power station. They were very surprised by the news of some malfunction at their own dam. The leaders were quick to assure the frightened people that there was no danger. And the only thing that threatens the city is heavy snowmelt. Who actually started these rumors, information has not yet been received.