Kola Bay: history, modernity, interesting facts

The shoreline of the Kola Peninsula was developed by the Finno-Ugric tribes in the Stone Age. Even after the baptism of Rus on these lands came the Novgorod colonizers, who were engaged in fishing for sea animals and fishing. On the shore there were Russian villages. In the 17th and 19th centuries, the population of the peninsula lived mainly by reindeer herding and fish production (on an industrial scale). And it was only at the beginning of the 20th century that the Kola Bay was recognized strategically (and not only economically!) As important. Here was founded the seaport - now the largest in the Arctic Circle.

Geographical position

There is a bay on the Murmansk coast of the Kola Peninsula. His name is due to the cola settlement, which arose on the river of the same name, supposedly in the 11th century. A detailed description of the bay was made by Mikhail Franzevich Reineke, head of the hydrographic expedition, which explored the northern maritime boundaries of the Russian Empire in 1826.

Kola Bay is a classical fjord, narrow (from 200 m to 7 km) and long (about 57 km). It is divided into three tribes, each of which has different depths. The two main rivers flowing into the bay are called Tuloma and Kola. The banks are cut by numerous bays (Ekaterininskaya harbor, Tuva, Saida). The water area is teeming with small islands. The port of Murmansk and the closed city of Severomorsk are located on the eastern shore of the bay, steep and rocky. On the more sloping, western, is the port of Polar. The shores are connected by an automobile bridge.

Natural anomalies

Kola Bay has one important feature: in winter, the water in it does not freeze, even if the air temperature is below -20 ^о С. In the bay it is always warmer than on the continent, and the difference can be quite significant. This phenomenon is due to a warm current, but not the Gulf Stream, as is commonly thought, and its continuation is the North Atlantic (Nordkapp). Of course, the water freezes on the coast, but the channel is always free of ice. That is why the bay has such an important strategic importance. The northern sea route was very necessary for Russia during the First World War: it provided communication with the allies.

The Gulf was completely frozen no more than five times in the entire history of observations. The last time it happened very recently - in January 2015. The increase in the area and thickness of ice (up to 10-15 cm in the lips and small bays) was caused by a prolonged anticyclone. In the southern part of the bay, drift ice was observed up to 5 cm thick.

The bridge over the Kola Bay

Ten years ago, an automobile bridge was ceremonially opened across the bay, 2.5 km long (1.6 km of which passes over the water). It is considered one of the longest in Russia and in the Arctic in general. The structure has not only economic but also social significance. The bridge connects the western districts of Murmansk with the central ones, simplifies the movement within the region and facilitates active interaction with the Nordic neighbors. It has four lanes and is intended for pedestrians as well. In the autumn of 2014 the building was repaired.

Kola Bay, Murmansk: the territory of sports

For several years of the existence of the bridge, there were some interesting traditions associated with it. In addition, it has become a venue for various sports and entertainment events. Paintball and cycling competitions are regularly organized here, and in the summer, in June, an extreme swim starts along the bridge from the left bank of the gulf, in which swimmers and marathon runners from all over the country and from neighboring countries gather.

It should be noted that even in summer Kola Bay is not too hospitable: the water temperature in it does not exceed +8 ^о С, and warming swimming suits at this event are prohibited. Extreme adds a strong lateral flow. So the "Murmansk Mile" is a serious test for aquisers (sportsmen specializing in swimming in cold water). It requires excellent health, endurance and prolonged special training.

Fishing

In 1803, the so-called White Sea fishing company was established on the Murmansk coast. The bay has long been famous for its abundance. The sea animal was also here. Currently, the resources of the Gulf have been significantly depleted due to environmental problems and mass fishing. Nevertheless, there are still good opportunities for river and sea fishing. The object of fishing in the bay are such species as haddock, cod, flounder, pollock and herring. There is also a crab. In the estuaries of rivers , trout, char, whitefish, grayling, perch and pike can be caught.

However, for river fishing (as for crab mining) a license is required. In addition, it is important to remember that the success of fishing is affected by the semidiurnal tides of the Kola Bay. According to Reineke, they are very tangible and reach four meters. Many anglers prefer to trade in the mouths of rivers also because they are less polluted than the bay itself.

Ecological problems

The work of mining and processing enterprises and the oil industry continue to have a detrimental effect on the Kola Bay. Photos of its shores often produce a depressing impression: rusty structures and ruins of factories that have long ceased to work are piling up everywhere. The Murmansk port remains one of the most polluted parts of the shelf.

In other parts of the bay the situation is slightly better, but the concentration of hydrocarbons, iron and copper exceeds the permissible level and is the cause of diseases of the local population. Currently, environmentalists urge management to ensure environmental protection measures and equipment modernization.