Until recently, this amazing natural reservoir was of considerable interest. It was popular with tourists and was considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Altai Republic, until this terrible natural disaster happened: the lake ceased to exist.
For more information about the death of Lake Maashey in Altai, see this short article.
The history of the formation of the lake
The lake appeared about 100 years ago, after a huge landslide blocked the river bed. Mazhoy, flowing in the area of the North-Chuysky ridge (height - 1984 meters). In administrative terms, this area belongs to the Kosh-Agach district. The length of the lake was 1500 meters long and 400 meters wide.
Since that time, there have been no heavy and prolonged rainfall in these places. Previously, bypassing the reservoir along the western shore and moving further along the bed of the Maashey River, one could reach the glacier called the Big Maashey. A river flows out from under it.
According to various sources, there is a modern glacier in the upper reaches of the river valley, and six kilometersfrom it are moraine ridges, which are witnesses of the lower ancient position of the glacier. From the niches, which are located on the sides of the main valley, huge ridges-tongues are visible, one of which (30-40 meters high, 700 meters wide) almost blocks the entire valley. It is a thick tongue of glacial-colluvial material and does not reach the steep right rocky slope of the valley (about 50 meters). It was from him that a collapse occurred, which formed a barrier to the flow of water from glaciers, which contributed to the formation of Lake Maashey. From the flooded forest and the towering dry larch trunks above the water, one can judge that the reservoir was formed relatively recently. Some larches above the water have preserved branches.
Description of the lake
At one time, this lake was described by the famous glaciologist M. V. Tronov. According to him, this reservoir is amazingly beautiful. Its turquoise water reflects the panorama of the source of the lake. Along the perimeter, it is framed by the trunks of extinct trees sticking out of the water.
It was located on the river Maashey (or Mazhoy). The depth of Lake Maashey is 3.5 meters. It should be noted that it gradually became shallow, being filled with various materials brought by the river from the glacier and from the high steep slopes of the valley. It happened that in winter and early spring the lake basin was completely drained, exposing the bottom.
The water level in summer depended on the amount of glacier melt. With strong melting, it increased, and with a decrease in runoff, it became less. Excess water was filtered throughdam.
Most of the outflow was observed from the opposite side of the dam. From them the river begins. Maashey, which is one of the major tributaries of the Chuya. Only one not very powerful exit was observed in the lower part of the "valley" depression along the right slope of the valley. The majestic snow-capped peaks of the North Chuya Range were clearly visible from the shores of the lake: Karagem (3750 meters) and Maashey (4173 meters). It was from this place that tourists made a trip to the glacier of the same name.
Lake Maashey was located about 7 kilometers from the glacier, high in the mountains (1984 meters). It should be noted that it was simply impossible to get close to this wonderful reservoir: they went to it on horseback or on foot in multi-day expeditions. Nevertheless, it was popular with travelers.
The death of Lake Maashei
In 2012, on June 17, due to heavy torrential rains in the mountains (starting from July 5) and mudflows, the transverse moraine shaft (natural dam) of Lake Maashey eroded. The result of this natural disaster was the "outflow" of the lake from the bed. It left in just a few hours through the resulting ravine. The reservoir ceased to exist.
In addition, due to heavy rainfall, which led to an increase in the water level in Chuya and Ak-Tru, huge flows of water demolished the bridge on Chuya and uprooted trees, and a powerful stream of water descended from the Akt-Tru glacier. Lake Maashey is no more.
Present
Today, the river of the same name flows through the territory of the former Lake Maashei, stronglycontaminated with various sedimentary rocks. Its waters run through the drying valley.
Gradually, nature took its toll, and perhaps soon the landscapes will be the same as before the formation of the lake. It turns out that this beauty (by natural standards) existed for a very short time - only about 100 years. Only surviving photographs can remind of the past - the existence of such a beautiful lake.
Research results and conclusions
How did Lake Maashei flow out? How could it disappear?
Research results confirm that the natural dam burst was due to rising water levels due to heavy rainfall. Such prolonged showers occur once every several decades. The lake was formed as a result of mudflows, so it could be assumed in advance that it would be destroyed in the same way.
Similar phenomena, when lakes form like dams on rivers, occur relatively often in the mountains. And it could be a threat to some communities downstream.
Such rivers need to be monitored.
In conclusion
One of the unique natural wonders of Altai is Maashey lake. It has disappeared forever. Such is life: something is born, and something disappears. There are a lot of such places in Altai. For example, the age of the Uchar waterfall is no more than 200 years. It was formed in the same way - as a result of the collapse of the mountains.
In all of this, maybeis the main beauty of nature. You can admire her as long as she gives such an opportunity.
