Krasnodar Reservoir: recreation, fishing and the history of construction

The Krasnodar reservoir is an artificial reservoir on the Kuban River in the Republic of Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory of Russia. It is the largest in the North Caucasus.

Through the eyes of a tourist

The first thing you pay attention to, for the first time getting to these places, is the huge mass of water that hangs over the city. Immediately there is a feeling of perplexity: how people are not afraid to live here? Driving through the dam through a spillway, which is encased in flat concrete beaches, you can observe the mesmerizing foamy elements, beating against the iron gates, like an animal, wishing to escape from the shackles on the plain spread before it. The height of the water here is noticeably higher than that of the life that lies at the bottom, on the plain. More recently, the dam of the Krasnodar reservoir was guarded by military equipment, for example, there was an APC over the spillway, now it can not be seen. However, if you want to go to the protected area (warned about it by forbidden signs), then an armed man will emerge from under the ground. While he will approach you, you will have time to personally appreciate the full power of this twentieth-century technical building, which, incidentally, does not even see the opposite shore.

Antiquities of the Kuban Sea

It is much safer to inspect the Krasnodar reservoir from Starokorsunskaya station, there is no dam here, but there is a free approach to water. In winter, the water level falls so much that sandbanks are formed. The remains of the washed up banks rise, like fantastic ruins, looking at the Krasnodar reservoir. Rest in these places will bring you an unforgettable experience. Local people like to fish here, and if they are lucky, they also have antique vessels that wash the waves from the powerful cultural layer from Starokorsunskaya to the former riverbed in the direction of Ust-Labinsk from time to time. People are attracted not only by fishing in the Krasnodar reservoir, but also by black archeology. However, the police are also not slumbering, annual raids bring a rich harvest of red-handed diggers of all stripes. Every spring, the earth under the impact of waves falls off the coast, exposing the layers of the past millennia, most of them waves carry with them to the bottom of the reservoir. Local residents of Starokorsunskaya tell how in one of the springs a huge, quite a whole amphora fell from the precipice into the water. Once there came a group of some Germans. "Hansa" offered at their own expense to carry out cleaning works at the bottom of the reservoir - this is a huge amount of activity. However, they set a condition that everything found on the bottom is taken away. Our officials refused such "help".

Through the eyes of archaeologists

Aslan Tov (Adyghe archaeologist) has been working for more than thirty years on the plains of Adygea and the banks of the Krasnodar reservoir. He tells that in 1999-2003, together with a group of archaeologists from France, he explored cemeteries, settlements, settlements and barrows on the southern shore of the Krasnodar Reservoir. Of the whole number of objects, only twelve settlements belonged to Maikop culture. Thanks to the equipment brought by the French side, it was possible to find out that this culture is a thousand years older than previously thought. The well-known archaeologist A. Leskov brought the leadership of Adygea to the exhibits to reveal to officials what wealth is under their feet. And what? As a result, the French delegation curtailed its work and left. The head of the expedition, Bertil Lyonnais, was indignant that he came here to investigate the antiquities, and not to sponsor officials of various levels. Here is such a harsh reality ...

From the memoirs of Soviet archaeologists

So, the reader has already realized that all the land in this area is considered an archaeological value. Today, one can even hear allegations that the most ancient gold decorations of Europe have been found here. Thus, under the layer of water there are twelve settlements of ancient Maikop culture, in addition, many ancient fortifications, barrows and medieval cemeteries. Naturally, in the sixties, just before flooding, archaeological groups worked here. However, the research was conducted both day and night under constant customized "kick" builders. The head of the group of scientists N. V. Anfimov told that it was necessary to work under the light of headlights or lamps at a temperature from two minutes to plus four degrees Celsius. Today the memory of some historical finds, most of which is made in the territory of the present Kuban Sea, is immortalized. For example, in Maikop one of the streets is called Kurgan. In 1972, on the site of a mound (a crossroads of Podgornaya and Kurgannaya streets), a monument was erected - a vertical stone slab decorated with images of objects that were discovered during excavations.

What is at the bottom?

The construction of the Krasnodar reservoir led to the flooding of a huge area - 420 square kilometers. Twenty auls and farms and even part of Krasnodar were flooded. People were forcibly transferred to new places. Many did not want to move, and this is understandable, because many generations of their families lived on this land. About fifty cemeteries were flooded. Most of them were previously filled with concrete. So the Krasnodar reservoir caused a lot of curses from the local residents.

The problem of construction

Since its construction, the object has been a source of criticism. In addition to flooding populated areas, arable land, archaeological sites, burial grounds, etc., it creates a number of serious inconveniences for the region. This is a rise in the level of groundwater, swamping of territories, changing the microclimate and, most importantly, the danger of flooding. After all, this monumental structure is located in a seismically dangerous region, over the past few years, five medium earthquakes have been recorded here. According to the specialists' calculations, the dam will be able to withstand the shocks by the force of 4-5 points. In this regard, many are interested in the technical state of the Krasnodar reservoir.

It's time to do something!

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu also expresses serious concerns about this facility. Indeed, after inspecting the reservoirs of the Krasnodar Territory, a special commission came to a conclusion about the need to repair this particular dam. During its existence, there have never been major repairs, the infrastructure of the facility is in a very bad condition. The greatest concern among specialists is the length of five hundred meters. On it in a concrete covering crevices from 20 to 50 centimeters were formed. Today the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia recognized the Krasnodar reservoir as a dangerous object and took it under its constant control.

Krasnodar Reservoir: Recreation

Despite the above mentioned problems, this water body is a popular holiday destination for many residents of not only the Krasnodar Territory, but also other regions of Russia. The climate here is hot, steppe. The reservoir and the river Kuban are a peculiar border: on one side of the steppe, and on the other - the plateau and mountains. In summer, the temperature here reaches a mark of plus 35 degrees Celsius, and in winter it often falls below zero. On the shore of the reservoir is the resort city of Krasnodar. Tourists can admire the architecture of the buildings of the nineteenth century, in addition, there are a lot of interesting monuments, parks, beaches, entertainment centers. Krasnodar is the capital of the Kuban Cossacks, so here literally everything is imbued with the spirit of this culture. The guests will be offered delicious Cossack cuisine, show programs with dances. In the city itself and on the shore of the reservoir there are many hotels, boarding houses and recreation centers.

Beaches and sights of Krasnodar

There are two official beaches in the city. The first one is called the Old Kuban, it is located on Sail Street. The beach is fully equipped and equipped, in addition, there is a water park and entertainment center, which are very popular. The second beach is next to the TEC. Thanks to this neighborhood, it is less popular, despite the fact that it is also equipped and meets all the wishes of holidaymakers.

Tourists often call Krasnodar "Russian Paris". Such an epithet he deserved with its lush greenery, fountains and squares, as well as an abundance of open summer cafes in shady streets and avenues. This city is pleasant to walk on foot, admiring the numerous monuments and ancient architecture of its central part. Tourists are advised to visit Catherine Square (here is a monument to Catherine II), see the St. Catherine's Cathedral, the monument to Aurora, see the Alexander Triumphal Arch, admire the delicate work of the openwork Shukhov Tower. Outside the city you can visit mud volcanoes, rocks and gorges, waterfalls and dolmens.

Krasnodar Reservoir: fishing

This pond is very popular with lovers of fishing. From the shore, they mostly catch a baster, a ram, a Chekhov, a crucian, a rudd, a roach, a perch; From water, a large bream (it is represented by several age groups), pike perch, catfish and asp. In addition, in the Krasnodar reservoir live barbel, gudgeon, chub, carp, sticker.

From the beginning of June and to November, at the entrance to the pond at the dawn of the hour, the sound of numerous kvoks is heard, by which fishermen beat water. These are the mattresses. The depths in the places of their fishing range from four to fifteen meters. The catfish stands here beside the old riverbed of the Kuban River, which is now hidden by the thickness of the waters of the artificial sea. The distance between the boats is 50-60 meters. There are practically no newcomers among them. They usually hunt alone, each of them catches catfish here not for the first year.