In the east of the Samara region is the Kutuluk reservoir, which is an important component of the irrigation system of this region. Due to the decrease in the volume of arable farming since the 90s, the water consumption in the reservoir has significantly decreased. It is used as a place for fishing for certain types of fish, in particular bream. Fishing is carried out year-round. In the lands adjacent to the reservoir, hunting is underway.
Short description
Kutuluk reservoir is an artificially created reservoir. It is located on the Kutuluk River, which flows through the territory of the Samara and Orenburg regions. For a small river, this is a rather large body of water, which has an elongated shape along the river. Its length is 13.7 kilometers, its width is much smaller and its maximum size reaches 2.5 kilometers.
The surface area is approximately 21 km 2. Its greatest depth is 16 meters, the average depth is about 5 meters. The importance of the reservoir in agriculture of the Samara region is great. With its introduction, the area of arable land used for sowing grain increased.
Kutuluk River
The river begins its flow on the spurs of General Syrt (hilly and rugged terrain), adjacent to the mountains of the Urals. Its source is located two kilometers from the village of Bulgakovo, Orenburg Region. The mouth of the river is located on the left bank of the Bolshoi Kinel River, 2.5 kilometers from the village of Krotovka. Its length is about 144 kilometers. The path lies along the territory of the Orenburg region and the districts of the Samara region: Borsky, Bogatovsky, Kinel-Cherkassky and Kinelsky.
The Bolshoi Kinel flows into the Samara River - a tributary of the Volga, which, in turn, flows into the Caspian Sea. Kutuluk has two main tributaries: p. Trostyanka (14 km), p. Grachevka (18 km). There are more than 30 small streams flowing into Kutuluk. The right-bank slopes of the river are steep, the left-bank is more gentle, it intersects with hills and ravines.
On the left bank there is an irrigation system consisting of canals emerging from the Kutuluk reservoir of the Samara region. The vegetation of the area where the river flows is steppe, with forest shelterbelts. The floodplain of the river is intermittent, crossed by old people, lakes and small swamps.
History of education
The Kutuluk River flows through the steppe, where protracted droughts periodically occurred, leading to a terrible famine. The river is the largest body of water in this region. Therefore, it is decided to build a system of irrigation facilities here, the main component of which will be the Kutuluk reservoir, the water reserves in it will help to survive dry years without loss.
In 1935, a system design was developed. In 1938, the construction organization Kutulukstroy was created, its leadership was entrusted to the well-known hydraulic engineer, later Hero of Socialist Labor A.E. Bochkin.
At that time it was a grandiose construction, in which 11 thousand people took part, mainly collective farmers from the surrounding areas, who built with the help of shovels and picks an earthen dam 18 meters high and a half kilometers long. Land for the dam was carried in carts and partly in cars. The width of its upper part was 6.5 meters. About 800, 000 cubic meters of land were laid for its construction.
For the spillway during the flood, a canal was constructed with the dimensions: length - 2 km, width of the bottom - 70 meters, depth - 5.5 meters. In 1940, construction was completed and in 1941 they began to fill the reservoir, which was completed in 1943.
Present day
Today, the demand for Kutuluk reservoir, as a component of the irrigation system, is much lower than in the days of the USSR. This is associated with a reduction in arable land, but nevertheless its value has remained high. The reservoir as an object of strategic importance is in federal ownership. Responsible for the operation is determined by the public organization "Society of hunters and fishers" Joy "."
Organized fisheries, its fish productivity is 360 kg per hectare. Not only the local population is engaged in fishing on the Kutuluk reservoir, but also visitors from other areas of the region and even from Samara, Otradny, Kinel. The main fish species are pike perch, carp, pike, crucian carp, perch, silver carp, roach and bream.
Reservoir features
The main nutrition of the reservoir comes from melting snow, precipitation, which makes 89% of the total catchment, river filling is only 11%, underground nutrition with the help of springs, keys is very insignificant and is not taken into account. The opening of the reservoir occurs in late April, early May, and it is covered with ice in mid-November. The bottom relief of the Kutuluk reservoir is formed by solid materials, mainly primary sands.
For the first time, they were interested in researching the flora and fauna of these places in 1949, when the famous Soviet hydrobiologist S. M. Lyakhov conducted expeditions here. It was he who drew attention to the underdeveloped vegetation of the coasts, a close approach to the water of arable land, which negatively affected the washing away of the soil layer by water. In 1991, a study of the vegetation cover of a reservoir was conducted. Only 77 plant species have been described. A 2005 inventory of the flora of the reservoir revealed only 97 of its species, which is much smaller compared to other water bodies.
Compared with other artificial reservoirs, the number of plants and fish that live in the Kutuluk reservoir is just over 46% of their species range. This can be explained by the high decrease and increase in water level during irrigation. Very high erosion of coastal soil, strong siltation due to washing off of the coastal layer.
Flora
Species of flora are represented mainly by species of air-water plants: narrow-leaved cattail, acute sedge, common reed, horsetail and others. The degree of overgrowing in comparison with other artificial reservoirs is very small and amounts to less than 10%. The abundance of vegetation can be observed only in the upper reaches of the reservoir.
The gentle slopes of the coasts are covered with natural grass-fescue-feather grass steppes, the dominant species of which is feather grass. On steep, steep banks, stony steppes dominate with thickets of creeping rod, sandy cinquefoil, astragalus oviparous, astragalus kamelomomkovy, and penny large-flowered. In the hollows between the hills meadow grasses are observed.
In the vicinity of the Kutuluk reservoir, recreation can be combined with fishing. Here are the famous natural monuments “Kutuluksky Yary” and Kutuluksky oak forest, which is part of the Buzuluksky Bor national park, with an area of 75 hectares.
Fauna
The fauna of the territories adjacent to the reservoir is typical of the steppe regions. It is represented mainly by birds and rodents. Their bright representatives are buzzard, meadow harrier, triangular steppe scoop and yellowish shallow scoop (both are listed in the Red Book). In addition, there are wild boars, roe deer, foxes and even deer. According to studies conducted here, it was revealed that natural communities are in close to natural states.
Fishing in summer
The reservoir is populated by typical river fish species in the area. According to reviews, fishing on the Kutuluk reservoir leaves most visitors satisfied. Their number is increasing every year, partly due to the fact that today most of the water bodies in the region suffer from an insufficient number of commercial fish species. The number of fish in them significantly decreased due to poor ecology and for other reasons. Fishermen cannot boast of a large catch.
Kutuluk is famous for its abundance of fish. Hundreds of fishermen come here from many areas of the Samara region for the sake of a good catch. During summer fishing, here you can relax, swim and sunbathe. On the shores of the reservoir there are several places where fishing can be comfortable. This is the Fisherman’s House and the recreation center “Kutuluk Compound”.
Winter fishing
Winter fishing enthusiasts are unpretentious people, accustomed to any hardship for the sake of a catch. Such fishing on the Kutuluk reservoir in the Samara region can be comfortable and bring maximum benefit. In the "Fisherman's House" you will be offered special mobile heated houses in which you can fish for quite some time in any weather.
"Fisherman's House"
Very popular among visitors is the "Fisherman's House" on the Kutuluk reservoir of the Otrada tourist complex. Here you can rent a place or a whole house where fishermen or hunters can relax after a day spent outdoors.
It has 3 cottages for four persons, one cottage "Hut" (5 beds). They are equipped with a kitchen and a bathhouse. Five-bed cottage "Lux", has a bathroom, kitchen, bath, veranda and barbecue. Hunter House Cottage has 4 rooms, which have double beds. The house has a bathroom, bath, fireplace, billiards. "Hunter House 2" has 5 rooms with two single beds, a bathroom.
In addition, during winter fishing, you can rent a small mobile heated house, gear and other equipment. At your request, hot food will be delivered to such a house.
Hunting
If you like hunting, then in the Otrada tourist complex you can organize hunting for wild boar, hare, roe deer, fox, duck, pheasant under the guidance of experienced rangers. Hunting on the banks of the Kutuluk reservoir, according to reviews visiting these places, is excellent. All conditions are created here so that the time spent on the hunt was not wasted. Arrivals will be presented with cottages for living, hunting trips, transportation to the place, specially trained dogs, huntsman service, beaters.
