Kuzbass, as you know, is the unofficial name of the Kemerovo region. This subject of the Russian Federation is part of the Siberian Federal District and is the most densely populated region in the Asian part of the country. In our article we will talk in detail about the main rivers of Kuzbass. In addition, you will learn what makes the largest lake in the Kemerovo region unique.
Rivers and lakes of Kuzbass: hydrography of the region
The hydrographic network of the Kemerovo region is quite dense and branched, but unevenly developed. It is represented by a large number of streams of various lengths, as well as lakes, swamps and reservoirs of artificial origin. All the rivers of Kuzbass belong to the Ob basin, the catchment area of which is the first in Russia.
In total, about 32 thousand watercourses flow through the region. Their total length exceeds 245,000 kilometers. The largest rivers of Kuzbass have a clear geographical orientation: they flow from south to north (see the map below).
There are 850 lakes within the Kemerovo region. The region is dominated by floodplain water bodies formed in river valleys as a result of rivers changing their channels. Most of these lakes are located in the floodplains of Ini and Kiya. The largest reservoirs of Kuzbass: Big and Small Berchikul, Shumilka, Mokhovoe. There are also 65 high- altitude lakes of glacial origin in the mountains of Kuznetsk Alatau.
Main rivers of Kuzbass:
- Tom;
- Inya;
- Kiya;
- Yaya;
- Mrassu;
- Condoma;
- Chumysh;
- Sary-Chumysh;
- Lvl
Tom
Tom is the largest river of Kuzbass in terms of length and catchment area, the right tributary of the Ob. The total length of the watercourse is 827 km, within the Kemerovo region - 596 km. In its upper reaches, the Tom is a typical mountain river with rocky banks, numerous rapids and rifts. Once in the Kuznetsk Basin, the bed of the Tom calms down, and in the lower reaches the river turns into a full-fledged flat watercourse, after which it smoothly and slowly carries its waters to the mother Ob.
The food of the river is mixed. About 40% of all water received comes from rainfall, 35% from melted snow, and another 25% from groundwater. Freezing on the Tom is formed in early November and lasts until mid-April. The spring flood lasts from April to June and is characterized by significant fluctuations in the water level in the channel (up to 6-8 meters).
In total, at least 120 tributaries flow into the Tom. The largestof these, Kondoma and Mrassu. Within the Kuzbass, a number of cities are located on the river: Mezhdurechensk, Novokuznetsk, Krapivinsky, Yurga, as well as the regional center of Kemerovo. 37 enterprises of the region consume water from Tom for their needs.
Kiya
Kiya is one of the main tributaries of the Chulym. It starts in the Kemerovo region, the source of the river is located on the eastern slopes of the Kuznetsk Alatau. In the lower reaches of the Kiya, it flows through the territory of the neighboring Tomsk region. According to one version, the hydronym "kiya" is of Turkic origin and is translated as "rocky precipice".
On the banks of the river there are indeed picturesque jagged rocks up to 15-20 meters high. Some of them even have their own names: Giant, Lonely, Father and Son.
Kia's diet is mixed - snow and rain. The watercourse freezes in November and opens in mid-April. Unlike Tom, there is not a single industrial enterprise or factory on the banks of the Kiya. Thanks to this, the ecological condition of the river and its banks remains satisfactory.
Inya
Inya is one of the right tributaries of the Ob. The source of the river is located on Taradanovskiy Uval, in the central part of Kuzbass. Further, Inya crosses the industrial and agricultural regions of the Kemerovo region. Within the region, on its banks there are two cities (Leninsk-Kuznetsky, Polysaevo), three urban settlements (Gramoteino, Promyshlennaya, Inskoy), as well as many rural settlements and holiday villages. The total length of the river is 663 km, of which 433 km fall on the territory of Kuzbass. Within the boundaries of the runoff area Iniregulated by the Belovsky reservoir.
Condoma
Kondoma is the largest watercourse among those that flow entirely within the Kemerovo region. The river originates in the south of Kuzbass, on the slopes of the Biyskaya Griva ridge. Translated from the Shor language, the hydronym "kondoma" means "winding". The river bed is really complicated by a large number of meanders, especially in the upper and middle reaches. The total length of Kondoma is 392 kilometers.
Lake Berchikul
Big Berchikul (or simply Berchikul) is the largest lake in Kuzbass, located in the northeastern part of the region. It really impresses with its size: the area of the water mirror reaches 32 thousand square kilometers. The length of the reservoir is 8 km, the maximum width is 4 km. The name "Berchikul" is translated from the ancient Turkic language as "Wolf Lake".
A unique feature of Bolshoi Berchikul is the water level, which remains virtually unchanged throughout the year. In summer, the lake does not grow shallow, as it is abundantly fed by underground sources. Another curious fact: Berchikul has practically no runoff. Only one tiny river flows out of it. At the same time, the reservoir remains fresh.
Recently, the shores of Berchikul are overgrown with private cottages, boarding houses and mini-hotels. Near the reservoir, therapeutic mud was found, containing a huge amount of useful trace elements and amino acids. In the vicinity of the lake, areas of the taiga wilderness, untouched by civilization, have been preserved, where you can relax andrestore your strength.
