Altai rivers. Rivers of Gorno-Altaisk The largest rivers of the Altai region

The rivers of the Altai Territory mainly belong to the Ob system. In the west and north-west of the region there is an area of internal drainage - the drainless basin of the Kulundinskaya Lowland.

The Altai region is crossed in its upper course by the Ob River. At a distance of 500 km, its wide ribbon forms two giant bends. Ob and its tributaries Chumysh, Aley, Big River, Barnaulka and others have a calm flow, wide developed valleys, in which strongly winding river beds lie, with clearly visible sandy reaches.

The river network in the Altai Mountains, with the exception of the southeast, is well developed. Rivers start from glaciers and numerous lakes. Some flat watersheds contain swamps that give rise to rivers ( Bashkaus- Chulyshman tributary). Mountain rivers flow in narrow valleys, sometimes in dark, gloomy gorges. Along a rocky channel strewn with boulders and pebbles, the water rushes down with a large fall, encounters hard crystalline ledges and rapids along the way, breaks against them, turning into white bubbling foam. The noise of the rapids gives way to the roar of waterfalls, of which there are many in the Altai highlands.

The picture of thundering water falling in ledges from a height of tens of meters is amazing. The highest and most beautiful waterfalls are located on the slopes of the Belukha massif. On the northern slope Tekelu(the right tributary of the Akkem) there is a waterfall 60 m high; on the Tigirek (the left tributary of the Kucherla) there is a waterfall of 40 m. On the southern slope of Belukha, in the upper reaches of the Katun, on its right tributary, there is Rossypnoy waterfall 30 m high. There are dozens of waterfalls on the rivers flowing into Lake Teletskoye. Well known Korbu waterfall, its powerful stream falls from a 12-meter height.

The rivers of the Altai Territory have a mixed supply: rain, snow, glaciers and groundwater.

The rivers of the Kulundinskaya Lowland are predominantly fed by snow. They are characterized by spring floods. Very little in summer atmospheric precipitation, rivers become very shallow and dry up in many places. By the end of summer, there is almost no water left in the upper reaches of the Kuchuk River; the channel represents chains of small elongated lakes.

Ob- a lowland river, but its sources and main tributaries are in the mountains, therefore, in the diet and regime of the Ob, signs of lowland and mountain rivers are observed. The Ob has two maximum water rises - in spring and summer. The spring rise in water occurs from the melting of snow, and the summer rise from the melting of glaciers. The lowest water level in the Ob is in winter.

Low water in winter is typical for most rivers in the region. Rivers freeze for a long time. Freeze-up on the Ob and rivers of the plains begins in the second half of November; by the end of April they are free of ice.

Mountain rivers belong to the Altai type, which has special regime and food. First of all, they are rich in water, since they have food sources that continuously replenish water supplies from precipitation, melting glaciers and the influx of groundwater.

Snow melts in the mountains for several months, from April to June. The second feature of snow melting is that the snow melts first in the north Gorny Altai in the lowlands, and then in the middle mountains and finally in the southern highlands. In June, snowfields and glaciers begin to melt. Sunny clear days alternate with rainy ones. There are years with long summer rains. Precipitation often falls in the form of showers, and the water level in rivers rises quickly and strongly. The rivers of the highlands are fed by snow and glaciers and therefore are characterized by a summer, namely June, rise in water. Autumn floods occur. In four to five months, most of the annual water requirement flows down.

Rivers in the middle and low mountains have two high water levels: in spring and summer - high water at the end of May and at the beginning of June; in summer and autumn - floods from melting glaciers and autumn rains. In autumn and winter there is low water. Mountain rivers freeze later than lowland rivers. The water does not freeze on the rapids; ice forms through the open rapids. Often rivers freeze to the bottom, ice plugs appear that the water cannot break through, it comes to the surface, and ice floods the valleys. In some mountain rivers, the process of ice formation occurs simultaneously on the surface and along the bottom of the channel. Surface and bottom ice combine to create a barrier to water. It finds its way out through the surface ice and ice dams form again. Ice cover lasts up to 7 months.

Belukha is not only a glacial junction, but also the most important feeding center for large and small rivers spreading from Belukha in different directions. The Belukha glaciers are very active in this regard, because they end low, which means they melt a lot and at the same time receive a lot of precipitation. According to the available hydrometric data, the first place in terms of water content belongs to the Iedygem River, the second and third are the Katun and Bereli, then the Ak-kem and Myushtu-airy. The total flow of glacial water produced by Belukha is estimated at approximately 400 million cubic meters. m. per year. This entire mass of water is taken at an altitude of about 2000 m and, therefore, has a huge potential reserve of power.

The Ak-kem River flows from the Ak-kem glacier and is a turbulent foamy stream. There are two lakes on the Ak-kem River: Upper and Lower, which are of glacial origin. The largest of them, Lower Akkem Lake, 1350 m long and 610 m wide, has a mirror area of 1 sq. km and a depth of 15 m. It lies at an altitude of 2050 m and is formed by one of the young moraines. Upper Ak-kemskoe lake having small sizes, is located near the tongue of the Ak-kem glacier and was formed by the youngest Late Holocene...

The Alambay River is the right tributary of the Chumysh, flows into it near the city of Zarinsk. It originates 2.5 km southeast of the Alambay railway station (Zarinsky district of the Altai Territory). Length 140 km, basin area 1960 sq. km. The main tributaries: Ingara (right, length 28 km), Lesnoy Alambay (right, length 68 km), Khmelevka (right, length 28 km), Borovlyanka (left, length 21 km). Top part The basin is located on the dissected lowlands of the Salair ridge, the lower one is on the gently ridged Pre-Salair...

The Alei River is the left tributary of the river. Obi. It flows into it near the village of Ust-Aleyka, Kalmansky district, Altai Territory. The source of the East Aley River is taken as the beginning of the river. The length of the Aley is 866 km, the catchment area is 21,100 sq. km. The main tributaries: Goltsovka, Kamenka, Zolotukha, Kizikha, Poperechnaya, Klepechikha, Yazevka, Gorevka, Chistyunka. In the middle reaches, the floodplain is crossed by large longitudinal channels: Sklyuikha (length 62 km), Bashmachikha (15 km), Vavilon (40 km). On the left bank there are cities...

The Barnaulka River is a left tributary of the river. Ob and flows into it near the city of Barnaul. It flows out of Lake Zerkalnoye in the Shipunovsky district of the Altai Territory. Length 207 km, drainage basin area 5720 sq. km. Basically, all the tributaries flow into it from the left: Voronikha, Rozhnya, Kolyvan, Panshikha, Shtabka, Vlasikha. The catchment is completely located on the Priobsky plateau. It stretches in a narrow strip (20-27 km) from the southwest to the northeast for 240 km. The modern valley is located in the hollow of the ancient runoff. IN...

Biya Biy (river), Biysk (city) - "Biy is the lord." The Biya is the second most powerful (after the Katun) river of the Altai Republic. It receives the bulk of its water from Lake Teletskoye; average annual water consumption at the outlet is 221 cubic meters. m per second. In the first 100 km, the average drop is approximately 1.6 m per kilometer. The current speed is 7-9 km per hour, depending on the water level in Lake Teletskoye. In the upper reaches of the Biya it passes through the territory of the Altai Republic in a northern direction among low ridges. For s. Lake-Kureevo...

Bolshaya Rechka, river, right tributary of the Ob. It originates 12 km from the village of Gornovoe, Troitsky district, Altai Territory. Length 258 km, drainage basin area 4000 sq. km. There are 294 lakes in the catchment area with a total surface area of 28.9 sq. km. The main tributaries: Eltsovka (left, length 23 km), Belaya (left, length 61 km), Borovlyanka (left, length 45 km), Listvyanka (right, length 25 km), Kamyshenka (left, length 76 km). The upper and middle parts of the basin are located on the ridged Biysk-Chumysh upland with dense...

The Burla River is located in the drainage region of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve. The river originates 8 km northeast of the village of Dolganki, Krutikhinsky district. In high-water years, it flows into the drainless bitter-salty Lake Bolshoy Adzhbulat on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in medium- and low-water years - into Lake Bolshoye Topolnoe in the Burlinsky district of the Altai Territory. The length of the river is 489 km, the basin area is 12800 square meters. km. Main tributaries: Panshikha (left, length 22 km), Kurya (Aksenikha, left, length...

The Kasmala River, a left tributary of the Ob, originates in a swampy watershed south of the Podstepnoye village in the Rebrikhinsky district of the Altai Territory. It flows into the Ob-Tikhaya channel in the Pavlovsk region of the Altai Territory. The length of the river is 119 km, the catchment area is 2550 sq. km. It receives a number of tributaries: Kalmanka, Rebrikha, Barsuchikha, Torbachikha, Borovlyanka, Rogozikha, Funtovka, Chernopyatovka. The drainage basin is flat, on the Priob plateau. Bolina is located in the hollow of an ancient drainage, in the Kasmalinsky ribbon forest. Floodplain...

Among the numerous rivers of Altai, the largest and longest is the Katun. It originates from the glaciers of Mount Belukha and extends in the northwest beyond the Altai Mountains. Merging with the second largest river in Altai, the Biya, the Katun gives rise to one of the largest Siberian rivers, the Ob. The length of the Katun is 688 km. Depending on the slope and nature of the riverbed, the river either rumbles between stones and boulders, or calmly flows along the flattened sections of the bottom, overgrown with willow bushes and...

The Kulunda River is located in the drainage region of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve. It flows from a small swamp 2 km north of the village of Ust-Moshikha, Rebrikha district, Altai Territory. It flows into Lake Kulundinskoye in two branches. The length of the river is 412 km, the basin area is 12,400 square meters. km. The largest tributaries: Ermachikha (left, length 37 km), Solonovka (right, length 37 km), Cheremshanka (right, length 56 km), Proslauha (right, length 78 km), Chuman (right, length 88 km). The drainage basin is flat...

The Kucherla River, which flows into the Katun, is formed as a result of the confluence of three equal river streams of its sources: Koni-Ayra, Ioldo-Ayra and Myushtu-Ayra. The general Kucherla valley turns out to be deeper than the valleys of each of the three equal sources. These rivers have large, beautiful waterfalls. When it flows into Lake Kucherlinskoye, the Kucherla River already looks like a stormy river, which is not so easy to cross. There are 43 lakes in the Kucherla valley, most of which are concentrated in the upper reaches of the valleys...

The Kuchuk River originates 10 km south of the village. Voznesenka, Rodinsky district, Altai Territory, flows into Lake Kuchukskoye. Length 121 km, drainage area 1020 sq. km. In the upper reaches small temporary streams flow into it. The drainage basin is located on the Priob Plateau and the Kulundinskaya Lowland. The valley is expressed throughout its entire length; the floodplain is present only in certain areas. The riverbed is blocked by earthen dams; in the areas between the ponds it is dry, with water only in holes or reaches. Constant flow of the river...

The Ob River, one of the largest rivers on the globe. It is formed from the confluence of the Biya (length 301 km) and the Katun (length 688 km) on the territory of the Altai Territory, 22 km below the city of Biysk, near the village of Sorokino (right bank) and the village of Verkhne-Obsky (left bank). The Ob flows into the Ob Bay of the Kara Sea at Cape Yam-Sale. The length of the river is 3650 km, the basin area is 2,990,000 square meters. km, within the Altai region (Altai Territory) its length is 493 km, the basin area is 209,500 sq. km. The main tributaries of the Upper Ob (from...

The Sungai River is the right tributary of the Chumysh, flowing into it above the village of Zarechny, Kytmanovsky district, Altai Territory. In the lower reaches it is called Kolbiha. It originates 2 km southwest of the Tyagun railway station. Length 103 km, drainage area 1480 sq. km. The main tributaries: Mishikha (right, length 28 km), Potaskuy (left, length 33 km), Mostovaya (right, length 45 km). The upper part of the basin is located on the Salair Ridge and is occupied by taiga. The lower part is located on a ridged clearing, mostly plowed.

The Uksunay River is the right tributary of Chumysh, flows into it at the village. Buranovo, Togul district, Altai Territory. It originates on the southwestern slope of the Salair Ridge. Length 165 km, drainage basin area 2600 sq. km. The main tributaries: Kamenushka (left, length 43 km), Togul (right, length 110 km). The drainage basin is formed on the slopes of Salair and the Pre-Salair plain. The upper part is forested (fir, aspen, birch), the lower part is almost treeless, heavily plowed. The valley is well defined along its entire course...

The Chemrovka River is the right tributary of the river. Ob and flows into it below the village of Fominskoye, Zonal District of the Altai Territory. It is formed from the confluence of two rivers - left and right Marushka - near the village. Marushka Tselinny district of the Altai Territory. The length of the river is 123 km, the basin area is 2830 sq. km. The main tributaries: Sukhaya Chemrovka (left, length 60 km), Shubenka (right, length 68 km), Utkul (right, length 55 km). The drainage area of the upper part of the basin is located in the south of the Biysk-Chumysh Upland with gentle hills and dense...

The Chumysh River is a right tributary of the Ob River, flowing into the latter 88 km below the city of Barnaul. Chumysh is formed from the confluence of the Kara-Chumysh and Tom-Chumysh rivers in the Kemerovo region. The length of the river is 644 km, the drainage basin area is 23900 sq. km. Main tributaries: Kara-Chumysh (left, length 173 km), Tom-Chumysh (right, length 110 km), Sary-Chumysh (left, length 98 km), Angurep (left, length 48 km), Yama (left, length 67 km), Uksunai (right, length 165 km), Taraba (left, length 70 km), Sungai (right, length...

Chuya (river), Chuya squirrels, Chuya steppe, Chuya tract - “Water, river”. Chuya is of interest to water tourists from the mouth of the Mazhoy River, where the Mazhoysky cascade of rapids of the 5th-6th category of difficulty begins, one of the most interesting and technically difficult for rafting. Mazhoysky cascade is most popular among tourists due to the convenience of access roads. Downstream there are also several interesting rapids, one of them - “Behemoth” - hosts annual water tourism competitions...

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Rivers and lakes of the Altai Territory Primary school teacher: Maslova Natalya Aleksandrovna 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 begin high in the mountains and have a rapid current. When leaving the mountains, the rivers become increasingly calm. Most rivers in the region are characterized by mixed feeding, due to snow, ice and rain. IN winter time Rivers are fed only by groundwater.

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Biya River Biya is the second largest river in the region. It begins in Lake Teletskoye. Its length is 280 kilometers. In the upper part of the river there are rapids, waterfalls, and rifts. Merging with the Katun, the Biya gives rise to the Ob. The name Biya is associated with the Altai words “biy”, “beg”, “bii” - “lord”. The river's feeding is mixed. IN big water Biya is navigable.

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The Katun River Katun flows from 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 the summer, when snow and glaciers melt intensively. In the lower reaches it acquires a flat character, spreading below the village. The Maima has channels and channels, and flows along an inclined plain to the north until it merges with the Biya. Almost 7,000 rivers and streams flow into the Katun.

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

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The confluence of the Biya and Katun rivers The confluence of the Biya and Katun is one of the main attractions of the Smolensk region. Two river streams meet each other on the spit of Ikonnikov Island, not far from the village of Verkh-Obsky. The muddy whitish water of the Katun and the 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 been considered sacred by local ethnic groups since ancient times. At the confluence of the Biya and Katun on the right bank of the Ob, the Alexander Nevsky Temple was built at the beginning of the century. Ikonnikov Island itself is a unique natural site with fairly well-preserved island landscapes.

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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 in Russia only to the Lena (4264 km) and the Amur (4354 km), and in terms of the area of its basin, the Ob is the largest river in our country, second only to five rivers on the planet: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, 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 most major influx Ob on the flat part of the region. In length (755 km) it exceeds Katun and Biya, but is inferior to them in terms of water content. Alei originates in the low mountains of northwestern Altai. This is a river with a mixed type of feeding (snow and rain), the spring flood reaches its maximum in April. Alei is characterized by large loop-shaped bends; in the lower reaches the river has broad 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 low-water river. In many places its valley is swampy and covered with mixed forest. Share snow nutrition accounts for 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 Shinok River, Altai Territory, Soloneshensky District. On the Shinok River in the middle part of the valley there is a cascade of waterfalls. The Shinok River is an amazing and unique natural monument, the uniqueness of which lies in the unprecedented accumulation of waterfalls. The waterfalls of the Shinok River have been known since the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but gained popularity a century later. In 1999, the state nature 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 translated from Turkic means “impregnable”, “precipitous”, for the most part flows in a picturesque gorge, which is surrounded by rich cedar forest growing on the slopes of the mountains, which gives amazing view river valley. The Shinok River, a tributary of the Anui, originates on a swampy plateau southwest of Mount Askaty (1786 m) on the border of the Soloneshensky district of the Altai Territory and the Ust-Kansky region of the Altai Republic. The Shinok River valley 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 riverbed with a rapid current; there are at least 12 waterfalls on the Shinok River.

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Belaya River The Belaya River is a 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 extraordinary purity; it flows rapidly in a beautiful valley, squeezed by high mountains. The Belaya River attracts tourists not only for its beauty, but also for the opportunity to raft on it.

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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 large, but has a violent character, which makes it attractive for rafting enthusiasts. The Kumir River flows for 40 km in a deep gorge. There are about 17 rapids and 20 rifts in this area. This beautiful river full of rapids of 2-3 difficulty categories.

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On the Kumir River, there is an amazingly picturesque place “Devichi Reach”, which is located near the village of Ust-Kumir. This place, in the middle of a fast-flowing river, is unexpectedly quiet, calm, with clear water to the bottom. The Kumira pool is rich in minerals. Rare and very beautiful white jasper lies here, and 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 sorts of obstacles encountered along the way, but also from the magnificent landscapes of the coastal areas. The nature here amazes 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 ridge. Everywhere the flow of the Korgon River is fast, rapids, and in some places the river forms cascades. This is one of the most picturesque rivers in all of Altai; it is 50 km long. The river flows in a shallow gorge, the river bed is very rocky and rapids. And just before it flows into the Charysh, its valley widens. 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 the Altai Mountains for sports rafting, containing numerous obstacles of 3-5 difficulty categories. Korgon, together with the rivers Kumir and Charysh, form the link Kumir - Charysh - Korgon - Charysh, which is the only route of the 5th category of difficulty in Altai. 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 flows out into 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 the Charysh itself is called a turbulent river, then its left tributaries are called “mad”. They have a large fall, and in large areas they flow between rocky shores.

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A significant part of the Charysh basin is occupied by forests. The slopes of the Korgon ridge are dominated by spruce and fir; higher up there begins a zone of high-mountain meadows with low but colorful herbs. Maral root grows almost everywhere. The large-flowered slipper, Altai gymnosperm and others, listed in the Red Book of Russia, have been preserved in the Charysh region. There are a lot of fish in the Charysh River: grayling and royal taimen - 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 sites of ancient people have been found. The Charysh and its tributaries are famous among rafting enthusiasts.

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Peschanaya River The Peschanaya River flows through the territory of the Altai, Smolensk, Soloneshsky districts of the Altai Territory. The Peschanaya pool covers an area of 5660 square meters. 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 ridge, 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 the mountains, overcoming obstacles in the form of rifts 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 Peschanaya River is beautiful and very diverse. Swift water washes over piles of stones, sandbanks, sheer booms, and steep screes. The river is popular place visits for water tourists. The river is also of great interest to fishermen. These places are very popular among fishing enthusiasts; 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 a land of thousands of lakes. The Altai lakes are picturesque. 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 Priob Plateau. It’s not for nothing that Altai is called the land of blue lakes. Small mountain and steppe lakes give natural landscapes a unique charm and uniqueness. 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 there is the second largest lake - Kuchukskoye (area 180 sq. km). It is completely similar in regime and nutrition to Kulundinsky and was previously connected to it by a channel.

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Kulunda Lake Kulunda 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. The largest lake in the region is Kulundinskoye. Its banks 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 Kolyvan Lake is located at the foot of the northern slope of the Kolyvan ridge, 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 why it's famous. The shores of this beautiful, calm and very clean lake are framed by rocks of bizarre shapes, which the human imagination gives the shape of columns, palaces, fantastic animals, and human faces.

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Kolyvan Lake is compared to a blue gem framed by picturesque rocks. The purity of the water in Lake Kolyvan is evidenced by the fact that a rare water chestnut, chilim, listed in the Red Book, is found here. 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 ancient times it was used as food and also served as amulets and talismans.

The famous rivers of Altai are just as much a heritage of the region as mountains, glaciers and lakes. The waterways flowing through the Siberian expanses are also the most important tourist sites. Hundreds of walking and combined routes run along the Altai rivers, and sometimes along with rafting and crossings from one bank to the other.

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

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 deep arteries, suitable for both navigation and active rest.

The mighty Ob, one of the largest rivers in the world, originates precisely in the Altai region, in the suburbs of Biysk, at the confluence of two Mountain Altai rivers - Katun and Biya. The whole area upstream runs through the territory of Altai.

Due to its relatively flat terrain, 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 River in the Altai Territory is 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 residents of the coastal areas. 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 sail along the Ob. The cultural program of tourist destinations is also rich in events - various festivals are often held on the banks of the Ob River. open air.

The river that gave its name to the second most populous city in the Altai Territory - Biysk. This waterway originates in the Altai Mountains, in the legendary Lake Teletskoye, 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 turbulent nature of the current only add to its popularity among local tourists. The lower reaches of the Biya are a full-flowing channel with navigable sections, right up to the confluence with the Ob.

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

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

It is believed that Alei is the most long 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 complete water influx 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 Alya, 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.

Rivers of the Altai Republic

The rivers of the Altai Mountains are many turbulent mountain arteries that give rise to deep valley rivers. Unlike the rivers of the neighboring region, the water bodies 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 specific nature of the flow, many Mountain Altai rivers do not freeze in winter.

Main river 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, Katun overflowed in 2014, causing enormous destruction.

Water tourism on Katun is in great demand. In addition to 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 and cultural sites, 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.

Also interesting to visit are: natural objects, like the confluence of the Katun Chemal, Chuya and others famous rivers Mountain Altai.

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 Argut is the best river for testing extreme rafting skills on 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 the high incidence of injuries - the current of “boiling” water is so strong here.

The Argut Valley attracts not only extreme sports enthusiasts, but also ordinary tourists. On the banks of the river there are many Altai mounds, famous stone women and other attractions. Among the local fauna on the banks of the Argut, snow leopards and other rare animals of Altai are regularly spotted.

Troubled waters The Chulyshman rivers 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 sports forums, the Chulyshman River is an inaccessible artery for rafting, flowing through the wild areas of the Altai Republic.

The very “dirty” color of the water in some areas is explained not by the human factor, but by the natural washing away of the clayey rocks of the riverbed by the river. Closer to Lake Teletskoye, the waters of Chulyshman become noticeably lighter, filling the lake with purified runoff.

The Chulyshman river valley itself is very attractive for tourists. Due to the difference in altitude, 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 Chulyshman with a length of 72 km. The stormy mountain artery originates from Lake Itykul, and throughout almost its entire length it remains an extremely turbulent body of water with many rapids, cascades and other unpleasant surprises for those who want to raft along it.

Despite its inaccessibility, the hand is popular among hikers. 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 areas 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.

General information

Relief Altai mountains It is diverse, with areas of ancient plains, alpine-type glacial high-mountain relief, mountains of medium (1800-2000 meters) and low altitude (500-600 meters), and deep basins standing out here. The ridges are cut by numerous snow-fed rivers. Turbulent water streams flow into 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 winter And warm summer. The weather in any given location depends on its altitude and prevailing winds. In Gorny Altai there is the most warm place Siberia and its pole of cold. 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 average temperature from +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 in the region lasts 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.

Each natural zone is inhabited by animals adapted to certain environmental conditions. Some of them - bears, maral, sable - migrate from one habitat to another. The Altai Mountains are also home to elk, musk deer, roe deer, ground squirrel, fox, wolverine, squirrel, and ermine. In the highlands lives the rarest animal on Earth - the snow leopard ( Snow Leopard), and Siberian goat and the red wolf.

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

Attractions

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

Lake Teletskoye

The Ukok Plateau is a protected natural area, a place of concentration of burial mounds from different chronological eras. 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 mounds cooling permafrost, well-preserved household items of great historical value were found. Unique nature 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 located 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 the Mechta, Skazka and Krasavitsa mountains 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 Anuy River, Soloneshsky district, has become a notable event in world archeology. Human remains dating back 42,000 years were found in the cave. In addition, the oldest cultural layer of people who lived in the cave 282,000 years ago was discovered here. At the parking lot ancient man More than 80,000 different stone household items, iron items from the 14th century, and bronze knives from later periods were found. The cave is accessible to people of any level physical training. Before the eyes of a tourist who takes the time to get here, there appears a unique so-called “layer cake”, consisting of more than 20 cultural layers formed in different eras of human existence.

The 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 natural monument, 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, part of the Katunsky ridge and revered by local residents as sacred, is the highest point in Siberia and Altai, rising above the picturesque valleys of the Ukok plateau at 4509 meters. Belukha is located equidistant from the four world oceans and is the geographic 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. There is a special atmosphere here that puts you in a philosophical mood. And this is not self-hypnosis; many scientists claim that there really are powerful bioenergy fields around the mountain. Buddhists believe that somewhere on the top of the mountain there is an entrance to the fabulous country of Shambhala, which only a select few can see. Origins of the main Altai river Katun originate in the Belukha glaciers.

Chapel of Archangel Michael at the foot of Mount Belukha

The Chuysky tract is the Novosibirsk-Tashanta 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.

Chuysky tract

Other sights of the Altai Mountains worthy of attention:

Lake Aya;
Multinskie lakes;
Kucherlinsky lakes;
Lake Manzherok;
Cave drawings primitive people in the Kalbak-Tash tract;
Scythian mounds of Pazyryk;
Mount Altyn-Tu;
Patmos Island on Chemal with the Temple of St. John the Evangelist;
The Tsar's Kurgan is a burial place over 2000 years old;
Valley of the Chulyshman River with numerous waterfalls.

This is only a small part of the 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. Altai mountain rivers are ideal for rafting. Speleologists descend into mysterious caves, climbers storm mountain peaks, paragliders soar over picturesque landscapes, and nature has prepared countless places of stunning beauty for hikers. Equestrian tourism is well developed in Altai, giving the opportunity to visit the most inaccessible corners of the region, where you can see Argali rams listed in the Red Book, lakes of unreal beauty, and hear the inimitable and soul-stirring 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 receive 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 health resort facilities and excellent opportunities for active recreation. Vacationers get unforgettable pleasure while walking along the health path along the stormy Belokurikha River rushing through a forest gorge. Tourists have access to a chairlift that takes resort guests to Mount Tserkovka (height 815 meters), from the top of which there is a stunning view of the Altai expanses.

One of business cards The Altai Mountains are deer, on whose treatment with antlers an entire medical industry is based. Antlers are young, unossified antlers of deer, cut only from males in June-July. Male individuals provide a unique medicinal 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 maral, where they are protected from predators and poachers. Only once a year are red deer disturbed in order to cut off their antlers. On the basis of many maral camps, medical centers have been created where vacationers improve their health among the mountains and forests, enjoying the peace and quiet in the bosom of Altai nature.

Visitors are welcome in winter ski resorts Altai - Manzherok, Belokurikha, Turquoise Katun, Seminsky Pass.

IN Lately The tourist infrastructure in the mountainous regions of Altai is rapidly developing: 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 increased significantly.

Tourist Information

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

Communications in the Altai Mountains are 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 Beeline has better communication, and in others - Megafon.

When going to Altai even at the height of summer, be sure to stock up warm clothes- in mountainous areas, night temperatures can drop to +5°.

Popular souvenirs from the Altai Mountains - honey, 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 Altai people, you should not indulge in fun, shout or litter. Don’t stroke your pride - don’t leave ugly inscriptions “I was here...” on man-made and natural sights of Altai. Local residents expect tourists to respect their land, ancestors and wildlife.

How to get there

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

Altai, view of the Belukha massif 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 will be enough to circle the globe along the equator one and a half times. Since the Altai region is characterized by a diverse landscape (there are mountains, valleys and lowlands), the rivers also differ in the nature of their flow. These are both 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. Thus, for these reasons, the water system of the region 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, the length of each is up to 10 km, their density is 1.5 - 2 km;
Plain streams belong to the drainless Kulunda depression. These are calm rivers, in the beds of which many freshwater lakes are formed. The Kulunda depression is also distinguished by the presence of salty and bitter-salty lakes.
Nutrition of Altai rivers
The Ob River is considered the main water-bearing artery of this region. It is formed after the merger Biya and Katun . It flows first through mountainous areas, where it is fed by numerous tributaries. In the valley, the nature of its flow changes and it resembles a deep, calm stream. Here its main tributaries are the 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 nutrition is poorly expressed. It is typical only for lowland rivers.
Since the Altai region differs in tectonic structure, the nature of the river flows here is also diverse. Mountain arteries are turbulent, rapid 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 Tekel, on Tigirek). The most picturesque waterfall is considered to be Rossypnoy, 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 flow, a large number of floodplains and above-floodplain terraces.
Regime of Altai rivers
The flow regime of Altai rivers largely depends on climatic conditions. Since their main diet is melt water, spring floods are typical for the Altai rivers. It lasts 10-12 days in the mountain range, and much longer on the plain. After it, the rivers become 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 (rivers Biya, Katun, Charysh, Peschanaya) the flow of water continues and in some places the water comes to the surface, forming glaciers. Fast-flowing rivers - Katun, Biya, Bashkaus, Chuya - partially freeze. On sharp turns and descents, cascading ice forms here, and hanging ice on the 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 - Biya 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 in Russia only to the Lena (4264 km) and the Amur (4354 km), and in terms of basin area, the Ob is the largest river in our country, second only to five rivers on the planet: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, Nile and La Plata.

Ob and its tributaries Chumysh, Anui, Alei, Bolshaya Rechka, Barnaulka and others have a calm flow, wide developed valleys, in which strongly winding channels with sandy reaches adjoin.

Barnaulka River - tributary of the Ob River

The bottom of the Ob is sandy over a large area. Sometimes you come across rocky rifts and shoals, there are especially many 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 from time immemorial. The Nenets living in the lower reaches of the river called it “Sala-yam”, which means “Cape River”. The Khanty and Mansi gave it the name “As” - “ big river“, the Selkups called the river “Kvay”, “Eme”, “Kuay”. All these names meant “large river.” The Russians first saw the river in its lower reaches when hunters and merchants, together with Zyryan guides, went beyond the Stone (as the Ural Mountains were then called). Long before Ermak’s conquest of 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 meant “snow”, “snowdrift”, “place near the snow”.

There is also an assumption that the name is related to the Iranian word “ob” - “water”. And this name could well have been given to the deep river by the peoples of the Iranian-speaking group who lived in the south of Western Siberia during 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 there are rapids, waterfalls, and riffles. Merging with Katun, Biya gives rise to the Ob.

The name Biya is associated with the Altai words “biy”, “beg”, “bii” - “lord”.

Katun

The Katun flows from 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 the summer, when snow and glaciers melt intensively. In the lower reaches it acquires a flat character, spreading below the village. The Maima has channels and channels, and flows along an inclined plain to the north until it merges with the Biya.

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

Aley

Alei is the largest tributary of the Ob on the flat part of the region. In length (755 km) it exceeds Katun and Biya, but is inferior to them in terms of water content. Alei originates in the low mountains of northwestern Altai. This is a river with a mixed type of feeding (snow and rain), the spring flood reaches its maximum in April. Alei is characterized by large loop-shaped bends; in the lower reaches the river has broad 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 low-water river. In many places its valley is swampy and covered with mixed forest. The share of snow supply makes up more than half of the runoff for the year, and the maximum flood in Chumysh is in April.

Lakes of Altai

The Altai lakes are picturesque. 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 Priob Plateau. It’s not for nothing that Altai is called the land of blue lakes. Small mountain and steppe lakes give natural landscapes a unique charm and uniqueness.

The largest lake in the Altai region is a bitter-salty lake Kulundinskoe(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. South of Kulundinsky there is the second largest lake - Kuchukskoe(area 180 sq. km). It is completely similar in regime and nutrition to Kulundinsky and was previously connected to it by a channel.

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-Isthmus, Raspberry- are places of pilgrimage for residents of the region and numerous guests. On the salty Bolshoi Yarov There has been a medical and health complex on the lake for many years. Salty water, the abundance of steppe sun, picturesque pine forest along the shores of such lakes create unique conditions for relaxation.

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

The lakes of the mountainous part of the Altai Territory are very picturesque. They are located in the hollows of ancient drainage, on the site of old channels of long-vanished mountain rivers that arose when an ancient glacier melted.

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

The Altai region is also rich in mineral springs. What makes it especially famous is its radon sources, which have been used by the local population since time immemorial. medicinal purposes. 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 was noted in the valleys of the Kalmanka and Berezovaya rivers.

Waterfalls are also common in Altai, like a waterfall on a river Shinok, not far from Denisova Cave, about 70 meters high, until recently it was known only local residents. Now many people dream of visiting here. Currently, there are eight waterfalls and one waterfall on the Shinok River. In 2000, the Cascade of Waterfalls on the Shinok River reserve acquired the status of a natural monument.

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