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What rivers originate in the Altai mountains. Altai rivers on the map. The Katun River in Gorny Altai

Altai is characterized by a large number of rivers. Their total number is about 20 thousand. If you combine all the rivers of Altai into one, then its length is enough to go around the globe along the equator one and a half times. Since the Altai Territory is characterized by a variety of landscapes (there are mountains, valleys and lowlands), the rivers also differ in the nature of the flow. These are stormy, mountain streams, and calm, slow currents.

The distribution of rivers and lakes in these places is determined by the nature of the terrain and climate. So, the water system of the region for these reasons is divided into two parts:
The rivers of the mountain range mainly belong to the Upper Ob basin. This is the Altai mountain range, its foothills, the entire Right Bank. Here river Ob collects the bulk of its waters. Its tributaries both on the left and on the right are about 2000 rivers, each up to 10 km long, their density is 1.5 - 2 km;
Plain streams belong to the drainless Kulunda depression. These are calm rivers, in the channels of which many freshwater lakes are formed. The Kulunda depression is also distinguished by the presence of salt and bitter-salt lakes.
Nutrition of the rivers of Altai
The main water-bearing artery of this region is the Ob River. It is formed after the merger Bii and Katun . It flows first through the mountains, where it is fed by numerous tributaries. In the valley, the nature of its flow changes and it resembles a full-flowing, calm stream. Here, its main tributaries are Chumysh, Alei, Bolshaya Rechka, Barnaulka, which are characterized by wide valleys and sandy reaches.
The rivers of the mountainous part have glacial, snow and partly rain. Ground feeding is poorly expressed. It is typical only for lowland rivers.
Since the Altai Territory differs in tectonic structure, the nature of the river flow here is also diverse. Mountain arteries are stormy, swift streams of water, with rapids and steep banks. The presence of tectonic ledges causes a large number of waterfalls (waterfalls on the slopes of the Belukha massif, on the northern slope along the Tekel, on Tigirek). The most picturesque waterfall is Rossypnaya, 30 m high, which is located on the southern slope of Belukha, in the upper reaches of the Katun.
Plain rivers are characterized by wide valleys, calm currents, a large number of floodplains and floodplain terraces.
Altai river regime
The flow regime of the Altai rivers largely depends on climatic conditions. Since their main food is melt water, spring floods are typical for the Altai rivers. It lasts 10-12 days on the territory of the mountain range, much longer on the plain. After him, the rivers sharply shallow.
The freezing of rivers in the valley begins in October-November and lasts about 170 days. Ice drift begins in mid-April. Many rivers, especially shallow ones, freeze to the bottom. But on some (the rivers Biya, Katun, Charysh, Peschanaya), the flow of water continues and in some places the water comes to the surface, forming icings. Rivers with a fast current - Katun, Biya, Bashkaus, Chuya, freeze partially. On steep turns and descents, cascading ice forms here, and hanging ice on waterfalls, which are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty.

Rivers of the Altai Territory

Ob
The main river of the Altai Territory is Ob formed from the confluence of two rivers - Bii and Katun. At a distance of 500 kilometers, the wide ribbon of the Ob crosses the Altai Territory, forming two giant bends. In terms of its length (3680 km), it is second only to the Lena (4264 km) and Amur (4354 km) in Russia, and in terms of the area of ​​the Ob basin it is the largest river in our country, second only to five rivers on the planet: the Amazon, the Congo, the Mississippi, the Nile and La Plata.

Ob and its tributaries Chumysh, Anui, Alei, Big River, Barnaulka and others have a calm current, wide developed valleys, in which strongly winding channels with sandy stretches adjoin.

Barnaulka River - a tributary of the Ob River

The bottom of the Ob is sandy for a large extent. Sometimes rocky rifts and shoals come across, especially a lot of them in the section of the river between Biysk and Barnaul. During floods, the water level in the Ob is high, water floods the right low bank for several kilometers.

The name of the great river "Ob" owes its origin not to the peoples who have lived on its banks for centuries. The Nenets living in the lower reaches of the river called it "Salya-yam", which means "cape river". The Khanty and Mansi gave it the name "As" - "big river", the Selkups called the river "Kvay", "Eme", "Kuai". All these names had the meaning of "large river". The Russians first saw the river in its lower reaches, when hunters and merchants went behind the Stone (as the Ural Mountains were then called) together with the Zyryan guides. Long before Ermak conquered Siberia, the region around the Ob was called Obdorsky.

There is a version that the name of the great Siberian river comes from the Komi language, which means “snow”, “snowdrift”, “place near the snow”.

There is also an assumption that the name is associated with the Iranian word "ob" - "water". And such a name for a full-flowing river could well have been given by the peoples of the Iranian-speaking group, who lived in the south of Western Siberia in the period from the early Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.


Biya


The Biya is the second largest river in Altai. It originates in Lake Teletskoye. Its length is 280 kilometers. In the upper part of the river - rapids, waterfalls, rifts. Merging with the Katun, Biya gives birth to the Ob.

The name Biy is associated with the Altaic word "biy", "beg", "bii" - "master".

Katun


The Katun flows out of the Gebler Glacier at an altitude of about 2000 meters on the southern slope of the highest mountain in Altai - Belukha. In the upper and middle reaches, the river has a mountainous character, especially in summer, when snow and glaciers melt intensively. In the lower reaches, it acquires a flat character, spilling below the village. Maima into channels and channels, and flows along the sloping plain to the north to the confluence with the Biya.

The water in the Katun is cold, its temperature rarely rises above 15 C in summer. The river is fed mainly by melting snow and ice from glaciers. The length of the river is 665 kilometers, in its basin there are about 7,000 waterfalls and rapids.

Alley


The Aley is the largest tributary of the Ob in the flat part of the region. In length (755 km), it surpasses the Katun and Biya, but is inferior to them in terms of high water content. Aley originates in the low mountains of the northwestern Altai. This is a river with a mixed type of nutrition (snow and rain), the spring flood reaches its maximum in April. Loop-shaped large bends are characteristic of Aley, in the lower reaches the river has wide clay soil.

Chumysh


Chumysh is the right tributary of the Ob. The river originates in Salair, from the confluence of two rivers: Tom-Chumysh and Kara-Chumysh. Although the river is twice as long as the Biya (644 km), the Chumysh is a relatively shallow river. In many places its valley is swampy and covered with mixed forest. The share of snow supply is more than half of the runoff per year, and the maximum flood in Chumysh is in April.

Lakes of Altai


Picturesque Altai lakes. There are thousands of them in the region, and they are located throughout the territory.

Most of the lakes are located in the Kulunda lowland and on the Priobsky plateau. No wonder Altai is called the land of blue lakes. Small mountain and steppe lakes give natural landscapes a peculiar charm and originality.

The largest lake in the Altai Territory is a bitter-salty lake Kulunda(area 600 sq. km, length - 35 and width 25 km). It is shallow (maximum depth is 4 m), fed by the waters of the Kulunda River and groundwater. To the south of Kulundinsky is the second largest lake - Kuchukskoe(square 180 sq. km). It is completely similar in regime and nutrition to Kulunda and used to be connected to it by a canal.

Kulunda the lakes are all remnants of an ancient sea that existed many millions of years ago on the site of the present plains. Many of these lakes have long been famous for their mineral waters, which have healing properties, as well as healing clays and mud. Gorkoe-Peresheechnoe, Crimson- are places of pilgrimage for residents of the region and numerous guests. on salty Big Yarovoye For many years there has been a health-improving complex on the lake. Salt water, abundance of the steppe sun, picturesque pine forest along the shores of such lakes create unique conditions for recreation.

There are a lot of fish in the fresh flowing lakes, and waterfowl in the thickets of reeds along the banks.

The lakes of the mountainous part of the Altai Territory are very picturesque. They are located in the hollows of the ancient runoff, in the place of the old channels of long-disappeared mountain rivers, which arose during the melting of an ancient glacier.

Between the Biya and Chumysh rivers there are small and shallow freshwater lakes. There are lakes on the floodplains of flat rivers, and in the ancient and modern river valleys there are small elongated lakes - oxbow lakes.

The Altai Territory is also rich in mineral springs. Radon springs, which have been used by the local population for medicinal purposes since time immemorial, are especially famous for this. Both in our country and abroad, the famous radon waters of Belokurikha are famous, where numerous resorts and health resorts have been built. The presence of radon waters in the valleys of the Kalmanka and Berezovaya rivers was noted.

Not uncommon in Altai and waterfalls, like a waterfall on a river Shinok, not far from the Denisova cave, about 70 meters high, until recently it was known only to local residents. Now many people dream of visiting here. At present, there are eight waterfalls and one waterfall on the Shinok River. In 2000, the "Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River" nature reserve acquired the status of a natural monument.

General information

The relief of the Altai Mountains is diverse, it stands out: sections of ancient plains, alpine-type glacial high-mountain relief, mountains of medium (1800-2000 meters) and low height (500-600 meters), deep basins. The ridges are cut by numerous rivers fed by snow. Stormy water flows flow into the lakes famous for their beauty, lying in picturesque valleys. In the Altai Mountains, the Biya and Katun rivers are born, which, merging, form the Ob, one of the deepest and longest rivers in Russia.

The highest ridge of the Altai Mountains is Katunsky. With its snowy slopes, sharp peaks, picturesque lakes and glaciers, this part of the Altai mountain system looks like the Alps.

The Altai Mountains are famous for their caves, of which there are more than 300, especially in the basin of the Katun, Anui and Charysh rivers. Gorny Altai is the land of waterfalls, the highest of which is the 60-meter Tekelu, which flows into the Akkem River.

The weather in the Altai Mountains is unpredictable, so you should not rely on weather forecasts. Being in the mountains on a warm clear day, you can witness the sudden birth of a cloud and visit its very thick.

The climate of the region is sharply continental with cold winters and warm summers. The weather in any particular place depends on its altitude and the prevailing winds. In the Altai Mountains there is both the warmest place in Siberia and its cold pole. The climate is formed under the influence of arctic masses, warm and humid winds of the Atlantic and the hot air of Central Asia. Winter in the region lasts from 3 to 5 months, one of the coldest places is the Chui Valley, where the temperature drops to -32°. It is much warmer in the southern regions of the Altai Mountains - for example, in the region of Lake Teletskoye, winter pleases with comfortable ten degrees below zero. In spring and autumn, cold snaps and frosts are frequent, lasting until mid-June in the highlands. The warmest month is July with an average temperature of +14 to +16°; in the highlands - from +5 to +8°, ​​here the temperature drops by 0.6° with an increase in altitude for every 100 meters.

In summer, daylight hours in the region last 17 hours, which is more than in Yalta or Sochi.

Gorny Altai is famous for its rich flora and fauna. In a relatively small area of ​​the region, almost all types of vegetation in Asia, Kazakhstan and the European part of Russia grow. Taiga, steppe, mountain tundra and alpine meadows are located on the Altai Mountains of different heights.

Each natural zone is inhabited by animals adapted to certain environmental conditions. Some of them - bears, deer, sable - roam from one area to another. Elk, musk deer, roe deer, ground squirrel, fox, wolverine, squirrel, and ermine are also found in the Altai Mountains. The rarest animal on Earth lives in the highlands - the irbis (snow leopard), as well as the Siberian goat and the red wolf.

In the Altai Mountains, endemic species have also formed that live only here: mountain turkey, tundra partridge, Altai buzzard. Other birds of the region are the gray goose, mallard duck, gray crane, snipe, owl, nutcracker.

Attractions

Lake Teletskoye is a true pearl in the placer of Altai lakes. The purest waters, framed by mountains and centuries-old cedars, alpine meadows and magnificent waterfalls, remoteness from civilization are the sources of the charm of the famous lake.

teletskoye lake

The Ukok Plateau is a protected natural area, a place of concentration of barrow burials of various chronological epochs. Local residents believe that the plateau is the threshold of the firmament, "the end of everything", a special sacred place to which they entrust the bodies of the dead. In many burial mounds, cooled by permafrost, well-preserved household items of great historical value were found. The unique nature of the plateau and the surrounding Altai Mountains inspired the artist Nicholas Roerich to create world-famous paintings. In the village of Upper Uimon there is a house-museum of the painter, where you can see his paintings and buy their copies.

Ukok Plateau

Chemal is a picturesque area of ​​the Altai Mountains, where the Katun carries its waters past rocky mountains that fascinate with their impregnability.

The Katun River near the village of Chemal

Karakol lakes - 7 reservoirs of amazing beauty, stretching in a chain along the western slope of the Iolgo ridge. To admire the lakes lying at an altitude of 2000 meters, you will have to use horses or a specially equipped vehicle.

Karakol lakes

Lower Shavlinskoye Lake is located surrounded by mountains Dream, Fairy Tale and Beauty in the vicinity of the village of Chibit. Pagan idols are installed on the shore of the reservoir.

Lower Shavlinskoye Lake

The discovery of the Denisova Cave, located in the valley of the Anui River in the Soloneshsky District, has become a notable event in world archeology. The remains of a 42,000-year-old man were found in the cave. In addition, the oldest cultural layer of habitation of people who lived in a cave 282,000 years ago was discovered here. More than 80,000 different stone household items, iron products of the XIV century, bronze knives of later periods were found at the site of the ancient man. The cave is accessible to people with any level of physical fitness. Before the eyes of a tourist who is not too lazy to get here, a unique so-called "layer cake" appears, consisting of more than 20 cultural layers formed in different eras of human existence.

Altai cave, one of the deepest and longest in Siberia and Altai, goes down 240 meters, and its length is 2540 meters. This natural attraction, protected as a geological monument of nature, is located in the village of Cheremshanka in the Altai Territory. The Altai cave is actively visited by amateur tourists and professional speleologists.

Mount Belukha, which is part of the Katunsky Range and revered as sacred by local residents, is the highest point in Siberia and Altai, towering 4509 meters above the picturesque valleys of the Ukok plateau. Belukha is located at an equidistant distance from the four world oceans and is the geographical center of Eurasia. Many who have visited Belukha or near it admit that they felt the enlightenment of consciousness and the incredible energy of these places. A special atmosphere reigns here, setting you in a philosophical mood. And this is not self-hypnosis, many scientists claim that powerful bioenergy fields really exist around the mountain. Buddhists believe that somewhere on the top of the mountain there is an entrance to the fabulous land of Shambhala, which only the elite can see. The sources of the main Altai river Katun originate in the Belukha glaciers.


 Chapel of the Archangel Michael at the foot of Mount Belukha

Chuisky Trakt is the Novosibirsk-Tashant highway, ending at the borders of Mongolia. After driving along it, you will be able to get to know the Altai Mountains better and see all their diversity.

Chui tract

Other sights of the Altai Mountains worthy of attention:

  • Lake Aya;
  • Multinsky lakes;
  • Kucherlinsky lakes;
  • Lake Manzherok;
  • Rock paintings of primitive people in the Kalbak-Tash tract;
  • Scythian burial mounds of Pazyryk;
  • Mount Altyn-Tu;
  • Patmos Island on Chemal with the Church of St. John the Evangelist;
  • The Tsar's mound - a burial site over 2000 years old;
  • Valley of the Chulyshman River with numerous waterfalls.

This is only a small part of those natural and man-made wonders that the Altai Mountains are rich in.

Why go

Adherents of sports tourism have known and visited the Altai Mountains for several decades. Mountain rivers of Altai are ideal for rafting. Speleologists descend into mysterious caves, climbers storm mountain peaks, paragliders hover over picturesque landscapes, nature has prepared countless places of stunning beauty for hikers. Equestrian tourism is well developed in Altai, which makes it possible to visit the most inaccessible corners of the region, where you can see the Red Book argali sheep, lakes of unreal beauty, hear the inimitable and heartbreaking cries of deer during the rut.

Fishing in the Altai Mountains traditionally attracts many tourists not only from neighboring regions, but also from the European part of Russia, as well as from abroad. The waters of local rivers are rich in valuable fish - grayling, taimen, whitefish, rainbow trout, burbot, pike and other species.

People go to Altai to get medical treatment and relax in one of the most environmentally friendly places on Earth. The seismically active region is rich in healing thermal springs, local radon waters are especially valued. Belokurikha is the most popular Altai balneological resort, famous for its unique microclimate, modern sanatorium and medical facilities and excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. Vacationers get an unforgettable pleasure walking along the health path along the turbulent river Belokurikha, rushing through the forest gorge. At the service of tourists is a chairlift that lifts the guests of the resort to Mount Tserkovka (height 815 meters), from the top of which a stunning view of the Altai expanses opens.

One of the hallmarks of the Altai Mountains is deer, on the treatment of which the whole medical industry is based on the treatment of antlers. Panty - young, non-ossified antlers of deer, cut only from males in June-July. Male individuals provide a unique healing product, rich in amino acids and microelements, a recognized elixir of health and longevity. To obtain valuable raw materials, deer are bred in captivity - the animals live in the vast territory of the deer, where they are protected from predators and poachers. Only once a year the red deer are disturbed in order to cut off their antlers. On the basis of many marals, medical bases have been created, where vacationers improve their health among mountains and forests, enjoying peace and quiet in the bosom of Altai nature.

In winter, visitors are welcome to the ski resorts of Altai - Manzherok, Belokurikha, Turquoise Katun, Seminsky Pass.

Recently, the tourist infrastructure in the mountainous regions of Altai has been developing rapidly: modern hotels and recreation centers are being built, new excursion routes are being developed, new roads are being laid and old ones are being improved. The number of agencies offering a variety of tours to Altai has grown significantly.

Information for tourists

Finding suitable accommodation in the tourist areas of the Altai Mountains is not difficult - everywhere there are camp sites of different levels of comfort, hotels and boarding houses. Many locals offer private accommodation for a very reasonable fee.

Communication in Gorny Altai is available in all major tourist destinations. It would be useful to have SIM cards of two or three operators with you, because. in some areas, the connection is better with Beeline, and in others - with Megafon.

Going to Altai even at the height of summer, be sure to stock up on warm clothes - in mountainous areas, the night temperature can drop to +5°C.

Popular souvenirs from Gorny Altai are honey, velvet antlers, pine nuts, teas from alpine herbs, original wooden products of local residents, amulets, national musical instruments and household items.

In places that are sacred to the Altaians, one should not indulge in fun, shouting and littering. Do not flatter your pride - do not leave ugly inscriptions "Here was ..." on the man-made and natural sights of Altai. From tourists, local residents expect respect for their land, ancestors and wildlife.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to Altai from Novosibirsk is by train or bus to Barnaul or Biysk. From these cities there are several flights a day to Gorno-Altaisk and other settlements in the region. If you are traveling by car, then from Novosibirsk you should go along the M-52 highway (Chuysky Trakt).

Altai, view of the Belukha massif

One of the most powerful rivers in the Altai Mountains is the Biya River. It flows out of Lake Teletskoye, and together with another large river, the Katunya, merges into the great Ob River. Biya is a mountain-flat river, along its entire length there are practically no channel extensions. This current makes it suitable for tourist rafting.

At the source, the river is surrounded by rocks, and then it floats to more gentle places, the banks are covered with bright greenery, trees, flowers. The total length of the river is 301 km.

Chibitka River

The Republic of Altai is filled with many picturesque natural objects. Among them is the Chibitka River, which stretches for 39 kilometers along the Ulagansky plateau. The river originates on the slopes of the Kurai Range.

The route along Chibitka is very popular among motorists and travelers. Following the course of the river, you can see many picturesque places. Among them are the lakes Uzunkel and Cheybekkel, as well as the "Red Gates" - a narrow isthmus between mountains, which has a reddish tint.

In total, there are 20 lakes in the Chibitka basin. There are two villages near the river - Aktash and Chibit.

Ursul River

Ursul, the left tributary of the Katun River, is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Altai Territory, attracting tourists with its pristine landscapes and the opportunity to test yourself in water slalom.

Originating on the northern slopes of the Terektinsky Range, the Ursul River is wide and calm in its middle reaches. Winding among the gently sloping banks, the river does not show its obstinate temper. Narrow strips of willow, birch and larch frame the coastline. The river becomes completely different in its lower reaches when it flows into the Katun: a seething stream will roar among the sheer cliffs, crossing over huge boulders that cut the Ursul into separate streams. This is where the thrill-seekers go. They gave their names to the river rapids: "Stvor", "Black Pit", "Khabarovsk hydroelectric power station", "Castle". Rafting on the Ursul is becoming more and more popular among rafters every year.

But the river attracts not only with natural beauties. Along the banks of the Ursul there are many burial mounds of the 5th-3rd centuries BC, where daggers, arrowheads made of bone and bronze, as well as typesetting belts, bronze mirrors, decorations for horse harnesses were found during excavations. Along the tributaries of the Ursula, in the surrounding tracts, there are stone images depicting warriors with traced faces and details of clothing and jewelry.

The Ursul River is the ideal holiday destination for lovers of mountains, wildlife, history and unforgettable adventures.

Charysh River

The Charysh River is one of the largest rivers in the Altai Mountains. The length of the river is 547 kilometers, and its source is located in the Ust-Kansky region of Gorny Altai, on the northern slopes of the Korgon Range with heights of more than 2000 meters.

On the cozy picturesque shores you can find convenient places for summer camps and tent camps. The shores either squeeze the rivers into a vise, or diverge and allow the water of the rivers to calm down, and the earth to spread out into valleys filled with flowers and herbs. Spruce and fir grow along the slopes of the Korgon Range, and a zone of alpine meadows with low, but bright herbs begins above. Also on the banks of the river you can see many different shrubs, including berries: black and red currants, raspberries, honeysuckle, mountain ash, viburnum.

The Charysh and its tributaries are known among rafting enthusiasts. A bunch of rivers Kumir - Charysh - Korgon - Charysh is a route of the 5th category of complexity. This is the only water "five" in the Altai Territory

Fans of archeology and history of ancient times can visit the caves in the vicinity of the village of Ust-Kan and on the banks of the Charysh in the middle reaches, where traces of ancient people were found.

Chemal River

The Chemal River is a mountain river that originates in the mountains of the Chemal region of the Altai Territory. Several tourist bases are located along its channel.

Chemal descends from a height of 2000 meters, taking its source in a lake located on the Tamanelen mountain range, at a distance of 95 kilometers from Gorno-Altaisk. The name of the river can be translated from the Altai language as "ant river". The Chemal is the only river in the region whose flow was stopped by a hydroelectric power station built in 1935. The majestic view of the confluence of the Chemal and another river called the Katun can be seen in the main Altai guidebooks. This place is also called "the gates of Sartakpai" - after the legendary Altai hero.

The mild climate, many warm sunny days and excellent weather favor the development of resort tourism in the Chemal region.

Peschanaya River

The Peschanaya River is the left tributary of the Ob, flowing in the Altai Territory. The river picturesquely flows down from the mountains, flowing through the rapids and dividing into channels, and then joining into one channel. Thus, it flows rapidly, calming down only in the valley. It flows along a channel of 276 kilometers.

The river is very popular among tourists and lovers of nature and water sports. It contains stones and sandbanks, talus and sheer boma, as well as many rapids.

The river is also a route of the third category of difficulty, where water tourism competitions are held annually.

The mouth of the river is a unique natural monument, because this place is very picturesque. In this place, a huge number of bays and lakes are concentrated, on the banks of which waterfowl nest.

You can get here by horse or boat.

The Katun River in Gorny Altai

The Katun River is the largest river in the Altai Mountains. Its name goes back to the Altai word "kadyn", which means "mistress", "mistress". The length of the river is 688 kilometers.

The river originates on the southern slopes of the Belukha Mountain massif, crosses the basin of the Uimon steppe, and after flowing into the Argut river flows in a northerly direction. The river is formed by numerous streams and rivers that flow down from the mountain ranges. The main tributaries of the river are Chuya, Kuragan, Koksa, Kucherla, Akkem, Ursul, Argut, Sumulta, Isha, Mayma, Kadrin, Sema. The most powerful tributary of the river is the Argut, which has a length of more than 230 kilometers.

The bottom of the river is filled with boulders and pebbles, and there are also frequent bedrock outcrops that form many rapids and waterfalls. In summer, the water in the upper reaches of the Katun becomes milky white due to the melting of glaciers, and in autumn the river becomes turquoise.


Sights of Gorno-Altaisk

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Rivers and lakes of the Altai Territory Primary school teacher: Maslova Natalya Alexandrovna Belokurikha, Altai Territory

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There are more than 20,000 rivers in the Altai Territory, most of which belong to the Ob system. Many rivers start high in the mountains and have a rapid current. When leaving the mountains, the rivers become more and more calm. Most of the region's rivers are characterized by mixed nutrition, due to snow, ice and rain. In winter, the rivers are fed only by groundwater.

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The Biya Biya River is the second largest river in the region. It starts in Teletskoye Lake. Its length is 280 kilometers. In the upper part of the river - rapids, waterfalls, rifts. Merging with the Katun, the Biya gives rise to the Ob. The name Bii is associated with the Altaic word "biy", "beg", "bii" - "master". The food of the river is mixed. Biya is navigable in high water.

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The Katun River flows out of the Gebler Glacier at an altitude of about 2000 meters on the southern slope of the highest mountain in Altai - Belukha. In the upper and middle reaches, the river has a mountainous character, especially in summer, when snow and glaciers melt intensively. In the lower reaches, it acquires a flat character, spilling below the village. Maima into channels and channels, and flows along the sloping plain to the north to the confluence with the Biya. Almost 7,000 rivers and streams flow into the Katun.

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The water in the Katun is turquoise and whitish-yellow. The water in the Katun is cold, its temperature rarely rises above 15 C in summer. The river is fed mainly by melting snow and ice from glaciers. The length of the river is 665 kilometers, in its basin there are about 7000 waterfalls and rapids.

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The confluence of the rivers Biya and Katun The confluence of the Biya and Katun is one of the main attractions of the Smolensk region. Two streams of rivers meet each other at the spit of Ikonnikov Island, not far from the village of Verkh-Obsky. Muddy whitish water of the Katun and transparent bluish water of the Biya flow for a long time without mixing with each other. The confluence of the Biya (“Biy”) and Katun (“Khatyn”) rivers has long been considered sacred by local ethnic groups. At the confluence of the Biya and Katun on the right bank of the Ob, at the beginning of the century, the temple of Alexander Nevsky was built. Ikonnikov Island itself is a unique natural object with fairly well-preserved island landscapes.

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The Ob River The main river of the Altai Territory is the Ob, formed from the confluence of two rivers - the Biya and the Katun. At a distance of 500 km, the wide ribbon of the Ob crosses the Altai Territory, forming two giant bends. In terms of its length (3680 km), it is second only to the Lena (4264 km) and Amur (4354 km) in Russia, and in terms of the area of ​​​​the Ob basin, it is the largest river in our country, second only to five rivers on the planet: the Amazon, the Congo, the Mississippi, the Nile and La Plata. The food of the river is mixed. The Ob reservoir is located in the north of the region.

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The Aley Aley River is the largest tributary of the Ob in the flat part of the region. In length (755 km), it surpasses the Katun and Biya, but is inferior to them in terms of high water content. Aley originates in the low mountains of the northwestern Altai. This is a river with a mixed type of nutrition (snow and rain), the spring flood reaches its maximum in April. Loop-shaped large bends are characteristic of Aley, in the lower reaches the river has wide clay soil.

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The Chumysh River Chumysh is the right tributary of the Ob. The river originates in Salair, from the confluence of two rivers: Tom-Chumysh and Kara-Chumysh. Although the river is twice as long as the Biya (644 km), the Chumysh is a relatively shallow river. In many places its valley is swampy and covered with mixed forest. The share of snow supply is more than half of the runoff per year, and the maximum flood in Chumysh is in April.

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Cascade of waterfalls on the river Shinok Altai Territory, Soloneshensky district. There is a cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River in the middle part of the valley. The Shinok River is an amazing and unique monument of nature, the uniqueness of which lies in the unprecedented accumulation of waterfalls. The waterfalls of the Shinok River became known at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but gained popularity a century later. In 1999, the state natural reserve "Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River" was formed, and in 2000, three waterfalls received the status of natural monuments

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The Shinok River, whose name in Turkic means “impregnable”, “precipitous”, mostly flows in a picturesque gorge, which is surrounded by a rich cedar forest growing on the slopes of the mountains, which gives an amazing view to the river valley. The Shinok River, a tributary of the Anui, originates on a swampy plateau southwest of Mount Askata (1786 m) on the border of the Soloneshensky district of the Altai Territory and the Ust-Kansky district of the Altai Republic. The valley of the Shinok River is deeply incised and has steep, often rocky slopes. Its length from the confluence of its two sources to the mouth is about 30 km, the height difference is 850 m. Most of the Shinok is a rocky channel with a rapid current, there are at least 12 waterfalls on the Shinok River.

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The Belaya River The Belaya River is the left tributary of the Charysh and flows through the southern territory of the Altai Territory. The Belaya River is up to 85 m wide and up to 2 m deep. The river is very picturesque and is distinguished by its unusual purity. It flows rapidly in a beautiful valley squeezed by high mountains. The Belaya River attracts tourists not only with its beauty, but also with the ability to raft along it.

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The Kumir River The Kumir River is one of the left tributaries of the Charysh. Located in the Charyshsky district of the Altai Territory. The river is not big, but it has a violent character, which makes it attractive for rafting enthusiasts. For 40 km the river Kumir flows in a deep gorge. There are about 17 rapids and 20 shivers in this section. This beautiful river is full of rapids of 2-3 categories of difficulty.

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On the river Kumir, there is a surprisingly picturesque place "Maiden's stretches", which is located near the village of Ust-Kumir. This place among the fast-moving river is unexpectedly quiet, calm with water transparent to the bottom. The Kumir basin is rich in minerals. There is a rare and very beautiful white jasper here, there are also deposits of rock crystal. The river is very picturesque, rafting along it, you can really get an unforgettable experience not only from its frantic nature and all kinds of obstacles encountered on the way, but also from the magnificent landscapes of the coastal areas. Nature here strikes with its pristine purity and beauty.

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The Korgon River Korgon is the left tributary of the Charysh. It originates on the northern slope of the Korgon Range. Throughout the course of the Korgon River is fast, rapids, in some places the river forms cascades. This is one of the most picturesque rivers in the whole Altai, it has a length of 50 km. The river flows in a shallow gorge, the riverbed is very rocky and rapids. And just before it flows into the Charysh, its valley expands. In total, there are 25 rapids and 40 shivers on Korgon.

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The river has tributaries Antonov Korgon, Korgonchik, etc. There are several apiaries in the valley. Korgon - can be called one of the most interesting rivers of Gorny Altai for sports rafting, containing numerous obstacles of 3-5 categories of difficulty. Korgon, together with the Kumir and Charysh rivers, form the link Kumir - Charysh - Korgon - Charysh, which is the only route in Altai of the 5th category of complexity. Unpredictability and diversity are the visiting card of this river.

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Charysh River The Charysh River is one of the largest rivers in Gorny Altai; its length is 547 km. The river flows down from the northern slopes of the Korgon Range; in the upper reaches it rushes between steep slopes, like a typical mountain river, on average it calms down somewhat, in the lower reaches it enters the plain in a wide channel. Everywhere, except for the lower reaches, there are rapids and rifts. All major tributaries come from the left side: Kumir (66 km), Korgon (43 km), Inya (110 km), Belaya (157 km). If Charysh itself is called a turbulent river, then "mad" people speak of its left tributaries. They have a large drop, in significant areas flow between rocky shores.

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A significant part of the Charysh basin is occupied by forests. On the slopes of the Korgon Range, spruce and fir predominate; above, a zone of alpine meadows begins with low, but bright forbs. Maral root grows almost everywhere. The large-flowered slipper, Altai gymnosperm and others listed in the Red Book of Russia have survived in the Charysh region. There are a lot of fish in the Charysh River: grayling and royal taimen are the dream of every fisherman; there are pike, perch, burbot. The mountain slopes in the Charysh basin are replete with caves, which makes it possible to go through speleological routes here. Those who are interested in archeology and the history of ancient times visit the caves in the vicinity of the village of Ust-Kan and the banks of the river in the middle reaches, where the sites of ancient people were found. Charysh and its tributaries are known among rafting enthusiasts.

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The Sandy River The Sandy River flows through the Altai, Smolensk, and Solonesh regions of the Altai Territory. The Peschanaya pool covers an area of ​​5660 sq. km. It is bounded from the west by the Anuysky ridge, from the east by the Cherginsky, and from the south by the spurs of the Terektinsky and Seminsky ridges. The Peschanaya River belongs to the Ob basin. The Peschanaya River descends from the eastern slope of the Seminsky Range, from a height of 1600 m, to the Pre-Altai Plain, where it flows into the Ob. More precisely, it does not descend, but quickly runs down from the mountains, overcoming obstacles in the form of shivers and rapids, branching into channels and connecting into a single channel.

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The path of the river is 276 km long. The Sandy River is beautiful and very diverse. Rushing water washes either heaps of stones, or sandbars, or sheer booms, or steep screes. The river is a popular destination for water tourists. The river is also of great interest to anglers. These places are very popular among lovers of fishing, even special fishing tours are organized. The mouth of Peschanaya has the status of a natural monument as an extremely picturesque area. This place is unique in that there are many floodplain lakes and bays, on the banks of which waterfowl nest.

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Lakes of the Altai Territory Altai is the land of thousands of lakes. Picturesque Altai lakes. There are thousands of them in the region, and they are located throughout the territory. Most of the lakes are located in the Kulunda lowland and on the Priobsky plateau. No wonder Altai is called the land of blue lakes. Small mountain and steppe lakes give natural landscapes a peculiar charm and originality. The largest lake in the Altai Territory is the bitter-salty lake Kulundinskoye (area 600 sq. km, length - 35 and width 25 km). It is shallow (maximum depth - 4 m), fed by the waters of the Kulunda River and groundwater. To the south of Kulundinsky is the second largest lake - Kuchukskoe (area 180 sq. Km). It is completely similar in regime and nutrition to Kulunda and used to be connected to it by a canal.

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Kulunda Lake The Kulunda Lakes are all remnants of an ancient sea that existed many millions of years ago in the place of the present plains. Many of these lakes have long been famous for their mineral waters, which have healing properties, as well as healing clays and mud. The largest lake in the region is Kulunda. Its shores are flat, low-lying, merging with the flat surface of Kulunda. Kulunda Lake is shallow, fed by the waters of the Kulunda River and groundwater.

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Lake Kolyvanskoye Lake is located at the foot of the northern slope of the Kolyvan Range, 3 km east of the village. Savvushka in the vicinity of Zmeinogorsk, Altai Territory. Kolyvan Lake is a complex natural monument. This is one of the largest lakes in the southwestern part of the Altai Territory (length 4 km, width 2-3 km). But that's not what it's famous for. The shores of this beautiful, calm and very clean lake are framed by rocks of bizarre outlines, to which the human imagination gives the forms of columns, palaces, fantastic animals, human faces.

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Kolyvan Lake is compared to a blue gem in a frame of picturesque rocks. The purity of the water in Lake Kolyvan is evidenced by the fact that there is a rare water chestnut - chilim, listed in the Red Book. This is a relic plant, preserved from the pre-glacial period. On the territory of Altai, chilim is also found in Lake Manzherok and in several small lakes. Chilim is rich in protein and starch. In the old days it was eaten, it also served as amulets and talismans.

The famous rivers of Altai are exactly the same property of the region as mountains, glaciers and lakes. The water arteries flowing through the Siberian expanses are also the most important tourist sites. Hundreds of hiking and combined routes run exactly along the Altai rivers, and sometimes along with rafting and crossings from one bank to another.

It is better to talk about the rivers of Altai, covering two regions - the Altai Territory and the Republic of Altai.

Rivers of the Altai Territory

Almost all the rivers of the Altai Territory are the Ob and its numerous tributaries. Unlike the mountainous republic, most of the local rivers are valley and full-flowing arteries, suitable both for navigation and for outdoor activities.

The mighty Ob, one of the largest rivers in the world, originates precisely in the Altai Territory, in the suburbs of Biysk, at the confluence of two mountain Altai rivers - the Katun and the Biya. The entire section of the upper reaches runs through the territory of Altai.

Due to the relatively flat relief, the river is considered a valley with a wide channel and calm waters. Along the entire course on the banks you can find several hundred villages, towns and regional centers of Altai. The largest of the cities on the Ob in the Altai Territory - the capital of the region - Barnaul.

The calm waters of the Ob are deceptive - every spring the river overflows, flooding the right bank, and bringing a lot of worries to the inhabitants of the coastal regions. Due to abnormal precipitation in 2014, the Ob was among the rivers that caused enormous damage to flooded areas.

Throughout the summer, small pleasure boats with tourists and motor ships go along the Ob. The cultural program of tourist destinations is also rich in events - various open-air festivals are often held on the banks of the Ob.

The river that gave its name to the second largest city in the Altai Territory - Biysk. This waterway originates in the Altai Mountains, in the legendary Teletskoye Lake, but most of the river flows through the neighboring region. The total length of Biya exceeds 280 km.

The upper part of the Biya is a typical mountain river, unsuitable for serious navigation, but attractive for fans of kayaking. A large number of rapids and the restless nature of the current only add popularity among local tourists. The lower reaches of the Biya are a full-flowing channel with navigable sections, up to the confluence with the Ob.

Regular navigation along the Biya was discontinued in 2006 due to unprofitability. All cruising boats and motor ships today are tourist ships. The river "comes to life" only during periods of large floods.

The purity of the water in Bie also affected the popularity of the river among fishermen - from amateurs to fishing professionals. Several dozen species of river fish live here, including grayling, taimen and burbot, which are especially revered by Siberian fishermen.

It is believed that the Aley is the longest river flowing through the territory of the Altai Territory. The water artery originates in Eastern Kazakhstan, but it is in Altai that it turns into a full-flowing tributary of the Ob, on the banks of which the city of Aleysk, famous for its farmland, and Rubtsovsk arose.

It was the active development of arable land in the 1930s that made it possible to create several irrigation canals in the river valley with a total length of 50 km, which are still used to supply land for growing wheat and other cereals.

Two reservoirs have been created on the Alei, providing water to several cities and dozens of rural settlements. The river itself is notable, like the Biya, for its regular sporting events - for example, fishing competitions are regularly held here with a bait.

Rivers of the Republic of Altai

The rivers of Gorny Altai are a lot of turbulent mountain arteries that give rise to full-flowing valley rivers. Unlike the rivers of the neighboring region, the reservoirs in the republic have strong currents, many rapids and rocky shores.

River tourism in the Altai Mountains is extreme - the water in most reservoirs is cold even in summer, due to the fact that almost all large rivers are fed by glaciers hidden among the mountain peaks of the Katun and Chui massifs.

Due to the specifics of the flow, many mountainous Altai rivers do not freeze in winter.

The main river of Gorny Altai - Katun - appeared on the map thanks to the Gebler glacier, located on Mount Belukha. It is there that the source of this majestic and, in some areas, very restless river is located.

The total length of the Katun to the place where it flows into the Ob near Biysk is 688 km. And along this entire length, the river passes through all types of the Altai landscape - from high-mountain regions to the flat steppe. Moreover, the inhabitants of Altai remember the stormy mountain nature of the river every spring during floods. Like the Ob, the Katun flooded in 2014, bringing great destruction.

Water tourism on the Katun is in great demand. In addition to the rapids that have their own names, you can also see waterfalls on the river. The total number of such objects is in the thousands. And this despite the fact that even on hot summer days the water temperature rarely warms up above +15 ° C - this does not stop tourists.

There are many cultural sites on the Katun, the most famous of which is the island of Patmos, where the Znamensky Convent is located, which can only be reached by a suspension bridge from the right bank.

Interesting to visit are also such natural objects as the confluence of the Katun Chemal, Chuya and other famous rivers of the Altai Mountains.

In many sources, the Argut is unequivocally called one of the largest tributaries of the Katun. This is a 232 km long river, fed by glaciers, eternal snows of the mountains and streams originating on the legendary Ukok plateau.

It is believed that the Argut is the best river for testing extreme rafting skills in kayaks and other types of boats. Some rapids are considered impassable, and at regular competitions, a number of sections of the river are patrolled by doctors due to high injuries - the current of “boiling” water is so strong here.

The Argut Valley attracts not only thrill-seekers, but also ordinary tourists. On the banks of the river there are many Altai burial mounds, famous stone statues and other attractions. Of the local fauna on the banks of the Argut, snow leopards and other rare animals of Altai are regularly noticed.

The muddy waters of the Chulyshman River increasingly began to attract tourists from all over the world. In reference books, this is the main water tributary of Lake Teletskoye, originating in the high-mountain lake Dzhulukul. And on most extreme forums, the Chulyshman River is an artery impregnable for rafting, flowing through the wild regions of the Altai Republic.

The very “dirty” color of the water in some areas is not due to the human factor, but to the natural washing out of the clay rocks of the channel by the river. Closer to Lake Teletskoye, the waters of Chulyshman brighten noticeably, filling the lake with cleared runoff.

The river valley of Chulyshman itself is very attractive for tourists. Due to the height difference, the vegetation along the banks of the river changes - from dwarf birches to dense taiga thickets.

The Chulcha River is one of the main tributaries of the Chulyshman with a length of 72 km. The stormy mountain artery originates from Lake Itykul, and almost throughout its entire length remains an extremely restless body of water with many rapids, cascades and other unpleasant surprises for those who want to raft along it.

Despite the inaccessibility, the hand is popular among backpackers. They go here in order to see the Chulchinsky waterfall, which the river feeds. Together with all the cascades, its length exceeds 160 meters.

In addition, the Bolshoi Proryv Canyon surrounding Chulcha on one of its sections has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists and photographers from all over the world.

The second most important river in the Altai Mountains after the Katun is the Chuya, which gave its name to the eponymous route - the Chuisky tract, as well as the mountain range of the same name - the Chuisky Ridge. It is also a watershed for some mountainous regions of the region.

Chuya is a powerful river passing from a mountain stream into a majestic valley channel. Here you can see both canyon landscapes and flat landscapes. The diversity of the river determined not only the places of settlement by people, but also modern tourism. Chuya is one of the centers of sports rafting in Altai; competitions of various classes are held here every year.

On the banks of the Chuya River you can see the legendary sights of Altai. These are the Shirlak waterfall, Bely Bom, the Kalbak-Tash tract, dozens of ancient burial grounds and thousands of rock paintings recognized as the property of the Altai Republic, as well as the river itself.