The climate of the Crimean peninsula is quite arid, in particular in its northern and central regions. Therefore, the problem of water supply to settlements and agricultural enterprises is especially acute here. In this article, we will describe in detail the reservoirs of Crimea. How many are there? When were they formed and what functions do they perform today? How big is their recreational and tourism potential? Let's try to answer all these questions.
Crimean reservoirs: general information and list
Today, there are 23 large reservoirs of artificial origin on the peninsula. 15 of them are natural runoff, and another 8 are bulk reservoirs fed by the North Crimean Canal. Their total area is almost 42 km 2. This is only 0.15% of the total territory of the Crimean peninsula.
All Crimean reservoirs contain about 400 million m 3 of fresh water. This huge resource is distributed and used as follows:
- 70% - agriculture;
- 20% - water supply to settlements (including utilities);
- 8% - water supply to industry;
- 2% - fisheries and recreation.
The largest reservoirs of the Crimean Territory (by volume of water) include:
- Chernorechenskoye (64.2 million m 3).
- Mezhgorny (50.0 million m 3).
- Simferopol (36.0 million m 3).
- Frontal (35.0 million m 3).
- Partisan (34.4 million m 3).
- Zagorskoye (27.8 million m 3).
- Kerch (24.0 million m 3).
- Belogorskoye (23.3 million m 3).
- Theodosia (15.4 million m 3).
- Izobilnenskoe (13.3 million m 3).
The location of all these reservoirs on the map of the peninsula you can see below.
Fishing on the reservoirs of Crimea
Reservoirs on the peninsula not only supply water to all settlements, industrial enterprises and agricultural land, but also perform other important functions. For example, recreational and tourist. So, the Crimean reservoirs attract numerous fans of freshwater fishing. This type of vacation in our time is very popular and popular.
In fresh waters of the Crimean peninsula there are many species of fish: pike perch, carp, crucian carp, roach, perch, bream and others. If you are lucky, you can fish a pike out of the water column. According to the reviews of fishermen, in the Crimea, the shores of the Chernorechensky, Zagorsky, Partizansky and Ayansky reservoirs are most favorable for fishing. The best time for fishing is early morning and evening. However, there are several limitations that should be remembered by both novice and experienced fishermen. So, for example, fishing is prohibited in all reservoirs of the peninsula from April 1 to May 31. In addition, you can not fish in the estuarine areas of the rivers (including the 500-meter strip of the coast on both sides of the mouth).
Many experienced fishermen consider the Partisan Reservoir to be the best place for freshwater fishing in Crimea. In this reservoir, chub, bream, carp, perch, ram, pike perch, lake salmon and even trout are perfectly caught. In general, Crimea is a real paradise for fishermen and ecotourists. Here everyone can find a cozy place with rich ichthyofauna and picturesque natural landscapes.
And now we will briefly describe the main Crimean record-breaking reservoirs.
Chernorechenskoye - the most full-flowing
The largest in volume in the Crimea is considered Chernorechenskoe reservoir. It contains over 64 million m 3. It was created in the mid-50s of the last century on the Chernaya River. Initially, the reservoir was used for irrigation of nearby lands. Today, up to 80% of its reserves are spent on household needs of the city of Sevastopol.
Chernorechenskoe reservoir has an unusual curved shape. A narrow and wooded cape almost 2 km long deeply extends into it from the eastern side.
Front - the largest
The largest water body by area in Crimea is Frontovoye (6.45 km 2). It is located in the eastern part of the peninsula, near a village of the same name. The main power source is the North Crimean Canal. The reservoir is used mainly for water supply to Feodosia and the adjacent resorts.
The name of the reservoir was not accidental. The fact is that during the years of World War II, fierce battles took place here. Reminds of those events an original monument, made of fragments of mines and shells. The reservoir itself was filled relatively recently, only in 1978.
In recent years, the Front Reservoir has become shallow. So, in 2017, the volume of water in it decreased by almost ten times (compared with 2014).
Izobilnenskoe - the most picturesque and deepest
Izobilnenskoe reservoir is phenomenally beautiful. Yes, and the deepest in the Crimea! Its maximum depth is 70 m. The reservoir was built in 1979 at the confluence of two mountain streams - Safun-Uzen and Uzen-Bash. It is located on the western edge of the village of Izobilnoe, borrowing its name from it. The main purpose of the reservoir is to provide fresh water for Alushta and nearby agricultural land.
