Where the Lena River flows in which city. The Lena River: source, direction of flow, length, mouth. Upper Lena
In this paper, the characteristics of the Lena River will be given. It is located on the Eurasian continent and belongs to the great northern rivers of Russia, supplying water to an area of 2,306,772 sq. km.
The river carries its waters in a region rich in biological resources, where a large gold deposit is located.
The pool is located on the territory of permafrost, unsuitable for human life. The region is characterized by extreme temperatures, almost completely covered with forest (84%).
The population of the region is small, concentrated for the most part in the only city near the Lena, Yakutsk, the administrative center of Yakutia.
Geographical position
For a greater extent, the river passes through the territory of Yakutia, with its source in the Irkutsk region. The landmark is located to the east of the beginning of the Baikal River.
The tributaries of the Lena begin to flow out in the East Siberian part of Russia.
Characteristics of the Lena River
Like most rivers, the flow is uneven. Small and not wide at the source, it can reach 25 meters in depth, 20 km in width.
The fall of the river is 1470 meters. The slope is 0.33. The river is almost completely navigable, with an abundance of fish. Length 4597 km.
The nature of the flow
The features of the relief imply the division of the water artery into three parts of different lengths.
In the first part, the river has a fast and stormy character - from the source to the widest part of Vitim. After meeting with the tributary Vitim, before flowing into the Lena Aldan, the nature of the current calms down somewhat, the river becomes wider and deeper.
In the third part, Olekma joins the bulk of the water, nourishing and calming the waters to the maximum, up to dissolution in the Laptev Sea.
Source and mouth of the river
The beginning of the waterway is considered to be located on the Baikal Range, near the lake, the waters of which feed the Angara and the Yenisei.
Its source begins at an altitude of about one and a half kilometers, it is a small swamp, where there is a memorial inscription.
Lena flows into the Laptev Sea, with the location of the mouth in the northern part of Yakutia.
In what direction does the Lena river flow?
First, the water artery tends to the northeast, where the first tributaries join, whose upper reaches are located near the Yablonovy Ridge and mountain ranges parallel to it to the east of Baikal.
The course of the Lena River (click to enlarge)
Further, the Lena turns north along a large arc, bypasses the Aldan plateau, turning south, where the largest tributary, the Aldan, flows into it. Then Lena circles the relief of the Verkhoyansk Range towards the east. Here it flows through the plain, large tributaries join, for example, the Vilyuy.
Where the bulk of the water merges with the Aldan, at a distance of 1300 km from the sea, the river becomes very wide, sometimes reaching 8 km in diameter. The delta, covering 31,672 square kilometers, is the largest in Russia and the third largest in the world. The delta is formed by numerous islets, swamps and sandbanks.
Large islands (area - hundreds of square kilometers) are covered with wet, mossy tundra and frozen lakes, which do not allow building roads. Communication between permanent settlements is carried out by dog sledding.
Regime of the Lena River
Lena is covered with ice for 8 months a year. Ice thickness reaches 136 cm in the south of the river, 231 cm in the delta.
The annual high water flow is irregular: in spring and summer, the volume of water increases 10 times compared to the winter months. Thus, the development of hydroelectric projects in the basin is difficult; there are two large reservoirs in Vilyui.
Right and left tributaries of the Lena
Important inflowing water arteries on the left: Kuta, Vilyuy, Molodo.
Vitim tributary
Important water arteries flowing to the right: Kirenga, Chaya, Vitim, Aldan, Olekma, Chuya.
River power source
Type of food - mixed. The main food is considered to be snow, the volume of water increases due to precipitation in the form of rain. Groundwater makes a small contribution in the form of 2% of the total water. A significant part of the food is taken by tributaries.
Since the Lena is half fed by melting snow, spring thaws lead to catastrophic floods. River ice hummocks change the terrain and destroy nearby settlements.
Economic use
On the territory closer to the mouth, navigation is developed, continuing until freezing, in a warm year, traffic does not stop for 6 months.
Lena is of great importance in the organization of tourism infrastructure. Excursions, boat rides, boat trips, and dog sledding in the winter season take place along the river.
Shishkinsky rocks, located upstream, are popular with lovers of antiquity. Tourists can explore examples of rock art. An ethnographic museum of the 17th century operates in the Lena Pillars Reserve.
Lena is rich in fish. Main types:
- Lenok;
- Omul;
- Taimen;
- Zander;
- Tugun;
Many commercial fish species are listed in the Red Book, the extraction of others is allowed with a special license.
There is an interesting legend about the origin of the name. At the beginning of the 17th century, the researcher Pyanda P.D. compiled a description of Lena, calling it in Yakut Elyuene, translated as Big River. Over time, the name has changed and turned into Lena.
What cities are located on the river. Lena
The surroundings of Lena are unsuitable for a comfortable life. Nature is harsh on man.
The only significant city is Yakutsk. Among the settlements along the river, it is worth noting Olekminsk, Elanka, Kachikatsy, Pokrovsk and Dzhardzhan.
The river is considered one of the cleanest on Earth, its bed was laid under the influence of completely natural processes. The free flow is not hindered by the construction of dams and a hydroelectric power station, which makes Lena stand out.
Closer to the confluence with the Laptev Sea, the water is polluted. Oil releases pollute the Arctic Ocean every year. Although much of the basin is closed to fishing, the threat of poaching, illegal grazing and deforestation remains.
The Lena River is the largest river on the eastern side of Siberia, which flows into the Laptev Sea. And this is not the only achievement of the river in terms of scale. In addition to the mentioned fact, the place where the Lena River is located is the tenth in the world in terms of length and the eighth river in full flow.
The Lena River flows in Yakutia and the Irkutsk region, in particular.
A distinctive feature of the river is its freezing. It freezes not as is customary for all other rivers, but in the reverse order with respect to the opening - from its lower reaches to the upper reaches.
Geographic features of the Lena River
The length of the river is 4400 kilometers. The total area of the basin fluctuates around 2490 square kilometers. There are three sections of the river relative to its course.
The course of the Lena River
Despite its great size, the source of the river is only a small swamp. It is in it that the majestic Lena River originates. The swamp is located twelve kilometers from Lake Baikal on one of its ridges.
The upper course of the Lena River is located in the mountainous area of Cis-Baikal. The middle course of the river is a kind of segment between two rivers - Aldana and Vitim. After the Vitim River flows into the Lena River, it becomes a full-fledged deep-water river.
In some places, under such circumstances, its depth can reach twenty meters. These places are surrounded by coniferous vegetation and forests. Starting from the Olekma River to the Aldan River, not a single truly large tributary flows into the Lena River. At this length of 500 kilometers, the place where the Lena River is located is a river that flows alone, but majestically, through a narrow but deep valley.
As soon as the river reaches the city of Pokrovsk, its borders expand dramatically. After Lena overcomes Yakutsk, Vilyui and Aldan immediately fall into it. After this moment, the Lena River turns into a wide powerful river up to ten kilometers long. At the same time, in some places it can reach a width of up to twenty or even thirty kilometers.
Navigation on the Lena River
Asking yourself the question whether shipping operates on this place where the Lena River is located, you should not even think for a second in a negative answer. Of course it is! Moreover, the Lena River is one of the main transport arteries in Yakutia. Such a decision is especially relevant in the conditions of Russian roads, and sometimes their complete absence.
Tributaries of the Lena River
The main and dominant tributaries include the rivers Chaya, Aldan, Olekma, Vitim, Vilyuy, Kuta, Chuya, Molodo, Kirenga, Buotama and the Sinyaya river.
To live or not to live? That's the question!
The very coast of the river is absolutely deserted. Even if you meet any buildings and houses while crossing or traveling with a guide, you should not assume that someone lives there. All the houses on the banks of the Lena are abandoned and have long been empty.
Sights of the Lena River
Of course, it is logical to assume that any person who goes to admire the river already knows for himself that the main attraction of that area is the Lena River itself, especially when it is so. One of the most unforgettable trips that you will remember for a long time is a boat cruise along the river bed, where the Lena River is located.
In addition to the standard ride on a cruise liner, you can experience all the delights of the life of the local people: fishing, hunting, as well as climbing the famous Lenin Pillars. You can feel the joy of traveling from June 1 to September 25.
Lena- a river flowing through the territory of North-Eastern Siberia in the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Refers to
The Lena River ranks tenth in length among all rivers in the world and eighth in the world in terms of full flow. The Lena River - flowing under the same name - its length from source to mouth is 4400 km.
The Lena River flows from south to northeast, and after the city of Yakutsk to the north. It originates near Lake Baikal (Baikal Range), 145 km from the village of Kachug, Kachugsky district, Irkutsk region of Russia. It flows through the Kachugsky, Zhigalovsky, Ust-Kutsky Kirensky districts of the Irkutsk region, then flows through the Lensky, Olekminsky, Khangalassky, City districts - Yakutsk, Namsky, Kobyaysky, Zhigansky Bulunsky districts of the Republic of Yakutia. The Lena River flows into the Laptev Sea 160 km from the settlement of Chekurovka, Bulunsky District of Yakutia.
Settlements.
The largest settlements on the Lena River from source to mouth: Changur, Kachug, Verkholensk, Zhigalovo, Ust-Ilga, Orlinga, Omoloy, Ust-Kut, Kirensk, Chuya, Vitim, Peledui, Khamra, Lensk, Chapaevo, Olekminsk, Khorintsy, Markha, Sinsk, Elanka, Kachikatsy, Bestyakh, Pokrovsk, Yakutsk, Maimaga, Sangar, Bahanai, Zhigansk, Dzhardzhan, Siktyakh, Kyusyur, Chekurovka.
The largest ports on the Lena River: Osetrovo, Kirensk, Lensk, Yakutsk, Olekminsk, Pokrovsk, Sangar, Tiksi.
There are few large cities near the Lena River. Many settlements are located only in the Yakutsk region. Many villages are abandoned or are small shift camps.
Routes (access roads).
At the source of the highway R-418 "Irkutsk-Kachug", a plexus of roads near the village of Zhigalovo, Zhigalovsky district, Irkutsk region, Russia. Further, there are good access roads near the city of Ust-Kut, the R-419 highway and the 25K26 autobahn. You can also drive directly to the river near the village of Kirensk. The R-501 highway runs near the city of Yakutsk. In addition to the main highways and autobahns, there are many towns and villages along the river, connected by smaller roads.
main tributaries.
The largest left tributaries of the river: Kuta, Vilyuy, Molodo.
The largest right tributaries of the river are Kirenga, Chaya, Vitim, Aldan, Olekma, Chuya.
Smaller tributaries:
- on the left: Anai, Chanchur, Ilikta, Inda, Kulenga, Pit, Rudovskaya river, Meneevsky, Ilga, Trofimovka, Fedorovka, Maly, Boty, Late, Lower, Spruce, Nemtanka, Lower Golovskaya, Ilinga, Bear, Lower Sarafanikha, Atalanga, Kuhta, Upper Katyma, Lower Katyma, Selenga, Burrow, Kokara, Shulaga, Mokchenikha, Turuk, Rassokha, Half, Goose, Elovka, Dry, Killed, Upper Bochakta, Mill, Sheep, Kazimirka, Potapovka, Semiga, Chembalovka, Zakharovka, Piluda , Ichera, Stepanikha, Bobrovka, Peleduy, Tabalak, Horse, Djerba, Namana, Markha, Blue, Tyugene, Lunakha, Tympylykan, Horuonka, Young, Eekit, Olenekskaya.
- on the right: Anga, Bolshaya Rechka, Tutura, Ziminskaya, Malaya Balakhnya, Zharkov, Distillery, Berezovka, Kovtorov, Elovenky, Bicha, Botovka, Kuzmin, Vyatkin, Zybunya, Balaganny, Talovy, Larch, Efremkov, Chichapta, Dyadin, Upper Sarafanikha, Sukhusha, Zakobeninskaya river, Orlinga, Iga, Shapkin, Tayura, Ulkan, Chechuy, Parshinka, Yukte, Tuolba, Buotama, Belyanga, Dyanshka, Undyulung, Sobolokh-Mayan, Menkere, Dzhardzhan, Besyuke.
Relief and soils.
The upper reaches of the Lena River and most of the basins of its right branches are located in the mountainous areas of the Baikal region, Transbaikalia and the Aldan Highlands. The main part of the left-bank river basin is located on the Central Siberian Plateau. The lowest section of the river lies in the middle (Central Yakut lowland) and lower reaches of the Lena.
In the Irkutsk region, through which the Lena River flows, soils are mainly represented by eluvial and deluvial deposits covering bedrock and Quaternary layers.
The soils are mostly podzolic, with chernozems and swampy areas also present. Solonchakous and solonetsous soils come across. The mountainous regions of the region are characterized by mountain-forest podzolic and mountain-tundra soils with outcrops of bedrock and stony placers.
In central Yakutia, along which the river flows, there are permafrost chernozems. Previously, they were called meadow-chernozem soils above floodplain terraces, similar in their properties to ordinary chernozems.
Vegetation.
Part of the territory is covered with coniferous forests and endless taiga. The territory is rich in pines, spruces, firs, larches and cedars.
Along with dense taiga forests and low-growing tundra shrubs, meadows overgrown with steppe vegetation (fescue, wormwood, etc.) come across near the river. The taiga forests of the Lena River Basin consist mainly of pine, larch, Siberian cedar and birch, these forests are often referred to as the "Green Gold of Russia".
hydrological regime.
The length of the Lena River is 4400 km. The area of the drainage basin is 2,490,000 km2. The maximum width of the floodplain is 30 km. Maximum depth 21 m.
According to the nature of the flow, the Lena River is conditionally divided into 3 sections: the first section - from the source to the mouth of the Vitim River; the second section - from the mouth of the Vitim River to the confluence of the Aldan River and the third section (lower reaches) - from the confluence of the Aldan River to the mouth.
Upper river. The upper part of the river practically occupies a third of its length. It accounts for the territory of the mountainous Cis-Baikal region. Water consumption in the area of the city of Kirensk is 1100 m³/sec. The width of the valley varies from 1-2 km to 10 km, sometimes the channel narrows to 200 m. The slopes of the river are steep and rocky, up to 300 m high.
Middle course of the river. The middle course includes a segment of the Lena riverbed between the Vitim and Aldan rivers, 1415 km long. In the middle reaches, the Lena River is already full-flowing. The depth of the river reaches 10-12 m. The Lena greatly increases in size after the confluence of the Olekma River. The width of the channel is up to 2 km, the width of the valley is up to 30 km, there is a wide floodplain with a large number of small lakes. The river valley is not symmetrical: the left slope is more gentle; the right slope is represented by the northern edge of the Patom Highlands, it is steeper and higher. Below the Olekma River (up to the town of Pokrovsk), the Lena River valley is narrow with steep and dissected limestone slopes, which are separate rocks of amazing shape (Lena Pillars). Below the city of Pokrovsk, the Lena River begins to flow across the plain. As a result, there is a sharp expansion of the Lena River valley. The flow rate slows down greatly - 1.3 m/s and drops to 0.5-0.7 m/s. The river floodplain is 5-7 km wide, up to 15 km in some places, and the entire valley is 20 km or more wide.
Lower reaches of the river. Below the city of Yakutsk, the Lena River receives 2 large tributaries - the Aldan River and the Vilyui River. After them, the Lena River turns into a giant water stream. Even where the river flows in one direction, its width reaches 10 km, and the depth exceeds 16-20 m. In places where there are many Lena islands, it expands to 20-30 km. The banks of the river in this area are deserted.
About 150 km from the Laptev Sea, the vast Lena Delta begins. The area of the Lena delta is larger than the Nile delta and is about 30,000 km2. The dimensions of the Lena delta are noted in the Guinness Book of Records.
According to various sources, the annual flow of the river ranges approximately from 489 to 542 km³, the average annual flow at the mouth is from 15,500 to 17,175 m³ / s.
The nutrition of the Lena River is almost the same as that of all its tributaries - it is melted snow water - 50% and rainwater. Due to permafrost within the catchment, the river is poorly fed by groundwater, with the only exception being geothermal sources. Groundwater accounts for only 1-2% of the recharge of the Lena River.
Lena is characterized by spring floods, several large floods in summer and low autumn-winter low water up to 366 m³ / s in the lower reaches of the river.
The Lena River differs from other Russian rivers in its ice regime and powerful freeze-up. A strong and thick layer of ice on the river is formed in conditions of a very cold, long and little snowy winter. A river without ice in the south lasts about 5-6 months, in the north 4-5 months. On the Lena, freezing is established approximately 10 days later than on its tributaries. In the upper reaches of the Lena begins to freeze from the end of October, in the lower reaches it freezes from the end of September. The ice begins to open in mid-May - in the upper reaches and in early June in the lower reaches. The spring ice drift is very powerful, there are often ice jams and, as a result, large areas are flooded. First of all, at the end of April, the spring flood begins in the area of the city of Kirensk, which is on the upper Lena and gradually shifts to the north, advancing on the still ice-covered river. The spill reaches the lower reaches of the river around mid-June. Water rises during the spill to 6-8 m above the low-water level. In the lower reaches, the water rises up to 18 m. The Lena annually carries out into the Laptev Sea about 41 million tons of dissolved substances and 12 million tons of suspended sediments.
The highest water temperatures in the upper reaches of the river are 19°C, in the lower reaches of the river about 14°C in July.
Ichthyofauna.
Of the fish species, the river is inhabited by: lenok, grayling, whitefish, omul, pike, taimen, catfish, pike perch, tugun, perch, broad whitefish, burbot, dace, carp, roach, bream, crucian carp, ruff, carp, ide.
Water quality.
The turbidity of water in the river is not more than 50-60 g/m 3 . The degree of mineralization of water is different - from fresh to salty. River water Lena is characterized mainly by low and medium mineralization. The average mineralization of water in the Lena is from 80 to 100 mg/l during floods and floods. In low water reaches up to 160-500 mg / l. According to the chemical composition, the water belongs to calcium bicarbonate.
Use, tourism and recreation.
The Lena River is the main transport artery of the Irkutsk region and the Republic of Yakutia. The Kachug pier is considered to be the beginning of navigation. Upstream from the port of Osetrov, small ships pass through it. The navigation period lasts from 125 to 170 days
Boat cruises are held on the Lena River, fishing, swimming, boating, rafting, hiking in historical places and many other types of entertainment are popular.
Of the attractions, the most famous place in the upper reaches of the Lena are the Shishkinsky rocks with well-preserved drawings of ancient people. This is the only place in the world where the creativity of primitive people is so vividly and widely represented.
The Lena Pillars are also popular with tourists - these are geological formations and a natural park on the right bank of the river. It is located in the Khangalassky district of Yakutia, 104 km from the city of Pokrovsk.
Two historical settlements are located near the river: Sottintsy is the historical and architectural museum-reserve "Druzhba", the site of the original foundation of the city of Yakutsk. And the settlement Zhigansk founded in 1632.
Reference Information.
Length: 4400 km.
Basin area: 2,490,000 km².
Pool: Laptev Sea
Source: near Lake Baikal, Baikal Range.
Location: 145 km from the village of Kachug, Kachugsky district, Irkutsk region, Russia.
Coordinates: 54°0′51.12″s. sh., 108°4′16.76″ E d.
Mouth: Laptev Sea.
Location: Bulunsky district of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
Coordinates: 72°36′15.1″ s. sh., 128°23′32.79″ E d.
Let's get acquainted with the largest river in our country, the basin of which is located exclusively on the territory of Russia. This is the largest source of fresh water, while environmentally friendly, not blocked by dams and reservoirs. And this is the Lena River. Origins, features, exclusivity and history of study - this is the topic of the article.
"Big River"
This is how the name Lena is translated from the language of the local Aborigines. In the Evenk language, it sounds like Elyu-Ene. But there are other versions, although the first mention of a river with this name dates back to the 17th century and the expedition of hunters led by Pyanda. It is with the Cossacks that the legend about the name of this river is connected. In accordance with it, the Cossacks crossed the Muka River (where they suffered), Kupa (where they swam), overcame Kuta (where they drank) and reached the Lena, where they could relax and be lazy.
The mighty Siberian river Lena, whose sources lie in the Baikal region, has a length of 4.4 thousand kilometers, which puts it in 11th place in the ranking of the longest rivers in the world. The river basin is about 2.5 million square kilometers and is replenished by many rivers and tributaries, which occupy an area 4 times larger than the area of France. The Lena River is amazing - the source, the direction of the flow, the mouth, the delta - everything in it strikes the imagination with its uniqueness.
The place of its beginning has no name, the direction of the current and its location in the Arctic zone leads to the fact that it begins to freeze from the mouth to the upper reaches, and opens from the ice in the opposite direction. The unique landscapes of the coasts of several latitudinal geographical zones and a very wide one make these places attractive for tourists.
Hydrogeography
This is the only river in Russia that is located in the permafrost zone and separates the European part of the country and the Far East. The subjects of the federation, which the river made happy with its course, are the Irkutsk region, the Republic of Sakha, Transbaikalia, the Krasnoyarsk and Khabarovsk regions, Buryatia and the Amur region.
On the map, the river bed is an almost straight line stretching from south to north across the Arctic zone and ending in a wide delta at the confluence with the Laptev Sea. The nature of the flow of the Lena River changes from its source to its mouth.
There is no name at its beginning
The source of the Lena River is a small lake, almost a swamp, located 7 kilometers from Lake Baikal. There is even an ancient legend about the hero Baikal, who had 260 river daughters, and one of them is Lena. Surprisingly, this lake does not even have a name, there are only coordinates - 72° 24′ 42.8″ north latitude and 126° 41′ 05″ east longitude. The source of the Lena River is located within the Baikal mountain range at an altitude of 1470 meters above sea level. The place where the full-flowing river of Siberia originates is marked only by a small chapel with an information plaque built in 1997.
Description of the Lena River
Conventionally, this great river is divided into three parts and has 9 main tributaries: Chaya, Vitim, Aldan (the largest), Kuta, Olemka, Vilyui, Kirenga, Chuya and Molodo. These three parts - the upper, middle and lower - differ in the nature of the flow of the Lena River in terms of hydrological data and the landscape of the banks.
In its upper part, the Lena is a mountain river with a fast current and a meandering channel between high and rocky banks. Where the Lena River begins, a tributary flows into it - the Manzurka River, which many hydrographers directly connect with Baikal. And although today the Lena and Baikal basins are not connected, there is a theory according to which such a connection existed in the past through one of the Manzurka hollows.
After taking the waters of Kirenga, the wayward Lena calms down somewhat. It becomes wider and deeper (in some places - up to 10 meters), and the rocky bottom gives its waters a dark, almost black color. Rocky shores are interrupted by forests where pines, cedars, firs, spruces and light coniferous larches grow.
The Taming of the Beauty
The middle part of Lena begins from the place where Vitim flows into it. This is the land of Yakutia, where the river first rushes to the east and only in the region of Yakutsk turns sharply to the north. The channel in this segment is significantly expanded, islands with dense vegetation appear, and the depth in some places reaches 12 meters. The outlines of the Lena valley are changing - the left bank is gentle, and the right bank is steep and high. Coniferous forests reign here, only occasionally giving way to meadows.
The river flows along the Prilensky plateau, which is formed by limestone, dolomite and sandstone. On this segment of the coast, rocky landscapes of amazing beauty form. The attraction of this segment is the Lena Pillars. This is a complex of rocks, stretching for many kilometers above the water surface. Today they are part of the National Natural Park, each rock is associated with an ancient legend. It was founded in 1995, the area of the park is 485 thousand hectares, and today it is a contender for inclusion in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
On the plateau there is an amazing desert in the middle of the taiga - the Lena tukulans. These are sand dunes about a kilometer long, the origin of which is still debated today.
On the Yakut plain, the rocks are receding, the Lena has a floodplain of up to 12 kilometers and is losing the speed of the current. It receives the waters of its main tributary, the Aldan, into its basin. From this place begins the lower Lena.
Siberian beauty
After the confluence of the Vilyui, in the description of the Lena River, such epithets appear as mighty, majestic. It becomes a truly pearl of Siberia. On the left bank of the river is the main city of this region, Yakutsk. It was founded by the Cossacks under the command of Pyotr Beketov in 1632, and it was he who "cut a window to the north", giving rise to the development and study of the northern and eastern lands of Russia.
In this place, the river forms channels with numerous islands, the coast is formed by terraces, and the forest consists of larches with occasional patches of birches and pines. Beauty Lena becomes a wide stream (up to 10 kilometers), and its depth reaches 20 meters. In these places, the mouth forms a wide floodplain with lakes and swamps.
150 kilometers from the Laptev Sea, the Lena Delta begins, which is considered one of the largest in the world - its area is 30 square kilometers. This is a zone where the river forms multiple channels, most of which are navigable. For example, ships reach the port of Tiksi along the Bykovskaya channel, which is located beyond the Arctic Circle, and navigation in it lasts only three months a year. The entire Lena Delta is covered by protected areas - reserves (Baikal-Lensky, Okleminskiy, Ust-Lenskiy) and special resource reserves. 402 species of plants, 32 species of fish, 33 species of mammals and about 110 species of birds are protected here.
Lena in winter
This river is the main navigable artery that connects Yakutia with the whole country. For ships, it is passable almost everywhere, but large ships go only along the lower segment. Shipping lasts up to 170 days. The rest of the time, Lena is bound by ice.
Lena freezes from north to south. Feature - the formation of ice. This is due to the fact that the water begins to freeze from the bottom to the surface, and such formations reach a height of up to 10 meters.
The ice breaks in the opposite direction and is accompanied by ice jams. Spring floods come - the water level in the river rises to 10 meters, it begins in April. In the lower reaches, the flood reaches mid-June.
Untouched Lena pool
Today, the Lena is one of the few rivers that have not been affected by hydroelectricity. Its basin is represented mainly by landscapes untouched by man. The sparsely populated areas, where the indigenous peoples (Yakuts, Evenks and Evens) live in close connection with nature, retain the uniqueness of environmental indicators.
But gold, diamonds, iron, oil, gas, coal, valuable types of facing stones, mica, apatite provoke an indefatigable "itch" in nature converters. Taiga and tundra attract lumberjacks and hunters. The fertile land of river terraces and reindeer moss are already used in field crops, plant growing, and reindeer breeding. Throughout its length, the Lena River is an inexhaustible supply of fish, which is used by travel agencies to organize unique fishing trips. Urbanization trends have brought industry to the Lena basin, and shipping contributes to the ecology of this region.
Therefore, it is not surprising that this river is the only one so far that has its own monument - a three-meter sculpture of a young girl made of white concrete "Beauty Lena". Installed on the bank of the river in the city of Okleminsk, the beauty greets tourists with a soft smile and flowing hair.
The great Siberian river Lena is one of the longest rivers in the world. Its waterway begins near Lake Baikal, makes a huge bend towards Yakutsk, and then rushes north and flows into the Laptev Sea, forming a vast delta. The length of the mighty river is 4400 km. This is the 11th place in the world. At 5 is the water system of the Yenisei River - 5539 km, then the great Chinese Yellow River with a length of 5464 km. The seventh place is occupied by the Ob-Irtysh, stretching across Western Siberia for 5410 km. Eighth place is occupied by the Parana River with its Rio de la Plata, length - 4880 km. Then the Congo-Chambezi river system - 4700 km. In 10th place are the muddy Amur with Argun - 4444 km. Well, then comes our beautiful Lena. It is longer than the Mekong by as much as 50 km.
Great Siberian river Lena
But among geographers there is no unity of opinion. Some of them believe that the northern beauty ranks 10th in the world in terms of length. This is due to the fact that the Parana River (the second longest in South America) has a controversial source. Some experts call the length 3998 km. If we take it as the truth, then Lena moves up and gets into the top ten. There is also no unanimity in determining the length of the Amur-Argun. In many official sources, its length is indicated as 5052 km.
All this leapfrog in determining the length of the waterway does not affect our beauty in any way. It is longer than all its tributaries, so its waterway is very easy to calculate - from source to delta.
The source of the Lena is a small lake near Baikal. It is a shame to say, but this reservoir, which gives life to the greatest Siberian river and the pride of the Russian land, does not even have a name. Nobody bothered to come up with it. The exact mileage to Baikal is also not known. In some sources, the figure is 12 km, in others 10 km, in some only 7 km. What to believe is not clear.
Thank God, at least they are known exact coordinates of the source: 72° 24′ 42.8″ s. sh. and 126° 41′ 05″ in. d. Height above sea level is 1470 meters. That is, the river originates from a mountainous, but, unfortunately, nameless lake, located within the Baikal Range. At the source, a small chapel with a corresponding tablet was built.
Great Siberian river Lena on the map
The Lena River is conditionally divided into 3 parts. These are the upper reaches to the confluence of the Vitim River, the middle course to the confluence of the Aldan River and the lower reaches to the delta. In the lower reaches, especially after the confluence of the Vilyui, our beauty spills into all its immense expanse. It is in these places that it becomes a truly great Siberian river, causing delight and admiration.
In its upper reaches, the Lena has all the signs of a mountain river. Its course is fast and swift, the channel is winding. There are rapids in many places. The coast is high and rocky. It is between them that a swift stream boils, foams, carrying its waters farther and farther north.
The mighty and wayward river calms down somewhat near Kirensk, where it receives the waters of the Kirenga River. Its length reaches 746 km, the basin area is 46.5 thousand square meters. km. "Black" waters (an optical effect due to the rocky bottom) give the Lena River even more strength. It becomes wider, and its depth in some places already reaches 10 meters.
Along the banks, where the rocks recede, slender pines, mighty cedars, firs, and firs rise. But the most remarkable tree is the light coniferous larch. In terms of strength, frost resistance and water resistance, it has no equal.
The middle course begins after the confluence of the right tributary of the Vitim. The length of Vitim is 1978 km, the basin area is 225 thousand square meters. km. The river is full-flowing and fast, it has many rapids and rapids. On Vitim there is such a city as Bodaibo. The same one where workers were brutally shot in 1912. This terrible crime was called the Lena execution. At the same time, according to various estimates, from 110 to 270 people died. Today, Bodaibo is a peaceful town with a population of 15,000 people. But gold is still found there, so that individual excesses happen - where without them.
Vitim is already the land of Yakutia. According to this administrative formation, the Lena River flows until it flows into the waters of the Arctic Ocean. At first, the waters of our beauty tend to the east, only before the very Yakutsk they turn to the north. The depth of the river in the middle reaches is 10-12 meters. The channel is expanding significantly. It is characterized by forested islands. The left bank is gentle, but the right one is steep and high. This is the kingdom of coniferous forests. Only occasionally do they retreat, giving way to small meadows.
The Lena River acquires even greater strength and power after the right tributary of the Olekma flows into it. Its length is 1436 km, the basin area is 210 thousand square meters. km. The river is not small at all and significantly increases the water flow of the Lena, making it even more majestic and powerful.
The Lena Pillars are one of the main attractions of the Lena River.
Further, up to Aldan, the Lena River flows along the Prilensky plateau. It consists of limestone, dolomites and sandstone. It is characterized by extremely peculiar steep slopes. 100 kilometers upstream of the city of Pokrovsk, nature has created extraordinary beauty. This is a multi-kilometer complex of mighty rocks hanging over a wide water surface. Their height reaches 100 meters. the spectacle is majestic in its beauty and in no way inferior to other exotic corners of the blue planet.
Below Pokrovsk, the rocks recede from the coast, and a valley takes their place. The floodplain of the river reaches 7-12 km, and the speed of the current decreases. These lands belong to the Yakut plain. It is in these calm places that the middle current ends. The Lena River takes in the right tributary of the Aldan, and then the left tributary of the Vilyui, forming the lower course.
It starts below Yakutsk. This is an old northern city, founded in 1632. It was laid down by the Cossacks, led by the centurion Peter Beketov. This man, long before Peter I, who "cut a window to Europe", "cut a window to the north." It was Yakutsk that became the center from which the further development of the northern and eastern lands took place. But history is not fair. Every schoolchild knows Peter I, but no one knows Peter Beketov, who did no less for the Fatherland than the Russian emperor.
Yakutsk is located on the left bank of the great Siberian river. In this place, the Lena forms many channels with numerous small islands. There is a crossing to the other side. Its length is 7 km. The coastline is terraced. There are hollows and hills on them. The forest mainly consists of larches. Clusters of birches and pines dilute them.
The length of the Aldan River reaches 2273 km. This is the most full-flowing tributary. The basin area is 729 thousand square meters. km. It is believed that he gives the great river 30% of the water from all its flows. He reunites with Lena 160 km north of Yakutsk.
Bank of the great Siberian river Lena
Even further north, Vilyui flows into our beauty. This river flows through wild uninhabited areas. But people managed to get to remote places and blocked the river with a dam. It is called the Vilyui hydroelectric power station, and has been operating since 1967. It was built at the Erbei threshold, and its height is 65 meters. The second stage of the Vilyuyskaya HPP-III began to be built in 1979. She is currently working. The length of the Vilyui River is 2650 km, the basin area is 454 thousand square meters. km. That is, almost 2 times less than that of Aldan.
Having merged with Vilyui, the Lena River forms a huge floodplain. It is characterized by swamps and lakes. Our beauty turns into a broad stream. The width of the channel is 10 km. The depth reaches 15-20 meters. In some places, the river forms numerous channels and expands significantly, reaching a width of 20-25 km. A harsh taiga rises along the banks, and human settlements can be counted on the fingers.
The delta begins 150 km from the Laptev Sea within Stolbovoy Island. It is considered one of the largest in the world. Its area is 30 thousand square meters. km. These are countless channels and islets between them. The widest and most full-flowing channels are the Olenekskaya, which limits the delta from the west. Bykovskaya - it limits the delta from the east. In the middle is the Trofimovskaya duct.
The Bykovskaya channel is of the greatest importance for the economy of Yakutia. Vessels get to Tiksi along it. This is the northern port of Russia with only 3 months of navigation. It is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Its population is about 6 thousand people.
Navigation on the Lena River lasts 130-170 days. This is the main waterway connecting Yakutia with the rest of the country. Vessels sail almost along the entire waterway. But large river boats can only move along the lower reaches of the river.
People in boats in the delta region
The Lena River gets its food from snow and rain. Given the permafrost, groundwater cannot replenish its drain. The flood happens in the spring. The spill begins at the end of April in the southern regions and, as the snow melts, it shifts to the north. It reaches the lower reaches only by mid-June. At the same time, the water level rises by 7-8 meters, and in some places by 10 meters.
Ice drift is always accompanied by ice jams. The river opens gradually from south to north. Freezes from north to south. It is noteworthy that in some parts of the river, the water first freezes at the bottom, and only then the turn comes to the surface. In this case, ice is formed. Such formations sometimes reach a height of several meters. If they did not have time to melt during the summer, then over time they would turn into huge ice rocks.
The area of the water basin of the great Siberian river is 2 million 490 thousand square meters. km. Water consumption 16350 cubic meters m/s. The oldest city on the Lena is Kirensk. It was founded in 1630. The largest city is Yakutsk with a population of 290 thousand people. In total, 6 cities were built on the river. The remaining large settlements are urban-type settlements. Without the Lena River, it would be impossible to develop the northern regions, which provide the country with diamonds, gold, and furs. It is they who make Russia the richest country in the world.
Yuri Syromyatnikov