Russia is not only a superpower, but also one of the most water-supply countries on the entire planet. The state has the largest supply of fresh water, and 12.4% of all territories are occupied by water bodies. In Russia, there are 2.5 million rivers.
One of such beautiful and fairly large reservoirs is the Lama River of the Moscow Region, as well as the Tver River. On its shores is one of the most ancient cities of Russia and the Moscow Region - Volokolamsk. In the old days, the river was part of the waterway that ran from the Volga to the Moscow River.
origin of name
According to historians, in the first millennium the Balts lived in these places, which gave the name to the river - the Lama. Translated from the Latvian language, the word lama means “long and narrow valley”, can also be interpreted as “puddle” or “small pond”.
Geographical and general characteristics
The river is located in the Upper Volga lowland, water flows through the Moscow region (Volokolamsk and Lotoshinsky areas) and the Tver region (Kalininsky and Konakovsky areas). The Lama River flows into the Ivankovo reservoir, and originates in the village of Sebenka.
The total length of the reservoir is 139 kilometers, the catchment basin is 2330 km². The Lama River itself is characterized as winding, with numerous dams. In the upper reaches, near the Klinsko-Dmitrov Ridge, the river is narrow, in the district there is a treeless valley. Downstream, after the influx of Yauza, the channel expands, and forests are already appearing on the banks.
The average channel width is from 20 to 25 m. The depth varies from 60 cm to 1.5 m. Near the Ivankovo reservoir, the depth reaches 6 m, which allows navigation to be maintained in the estuary section. Afforestation is at an average level of 12%, and bogging is 6%.
The Lama River of the Tver Region, as well as the Moscow River, is classified as an Eastern European type. This means that in spring it becomes full-flowing, in the fall and summer there are rain floods. It is covered with ice in November, and the autopsy falls at the end of March. The main food is melt water. In some places the river is shaded and swampy.
There are 11 tributaries by the river, the largest: Velga (113 km) and Selesnya (107 km). Before the construction of the reservoir (1937), the river was just a tributary of the Shoshi river.
Ichthyofauna
About 10 species of fish are found in the Lama River of the Tver Region. These are the most common water representatives in Russia: bream, pike, bleak, crucian carp, perch and roach. However, due to severe pollution, the number of fish is small. The activity of the gastrointestinal tract and industrial enterprises of Volokolamsk has the strongest anthropogenic impact on the river. The Yauza River, a tributary of the Lama, is also a very dirty body of water. In light of this industrial fishing, no fish are caught on the river. However, on the shores you can meet fishermen who catch on feeder and float fishing rods.
Economic value
The Lama River is mentioned in the chronicles of 1135. In those ancient times, a path ran through it, which was called the "drag". Shipping was carried out from the Volga to Shoshi, Lama, Lake Trostensky, and then to Ruza and the Moskva River. On the way of the “Volok”, the city of Volokolamsk appeared on the Lama River. By the way, the name of the settlement is formed by combining two words: “drag” and “llama”.
In 1919, the first rural hydroelectric power station in the country appeared in the village of Yarolets. Today it is preserved as a historical monument. At present, navigation on the river is carried out only near the Ivankovo reservoir, where there is backwater and sufficient depth for passage of vessels. The navigation season lasts from 180 to 220 days.
Hydroelectric power station
Travelers like to come to Yaropolets and take a photo of the Lama River exactly in the place where the spillway and the hydroelectric power station are located.
There is a legend that in 1918 a drama circle existed in the village of Yarolets, whose members decided to stage the play. However, they realized that it would not work in the evening, because there was no electricity in the village. The solution to the problem was found by local craftsmen who assembled the dynamo, but it was able to provide lighting for only 4 bulbs.
After that, the local population got excited about the idea of building an electric station. We chose a water mill for this at the Chernyshevs' estate. A 13 kilowatt generator was connected to it, and already in November 1919, electric light appeared in the houses.
Of course, this capacity was not enough, especially since the residents of neighboring villages became interested in the new product. As a result, they created a technical society that solved the issues of financing the construction of hydroelectric power stations. Almost all Yaropolis and residents of neighboring 14 villages joined the society. As entrance fees, not only money was accepted, but also food products that were sold in the markets or exchanged for building materials. They erected a building for equipment. And in 1920, the village was visited by Lenin, who liked the idea of the peasants, and he assisted them in acquiring equipment.
Post-war time
Until 1941, the hydroelectric station on the Lama River worked successfully, but it was blown up by the Germans. At the end of the war, local residents began restoration work, and it started to work only in 1959.
After the construction of the Ivankovo hydroelectric power station, the economic importance of small rivers, including the Lama River, was reduced to zero. Many small hydroelectric power stations were completely liquidated, it remained only in the village of Yaropolets, where electric energy is not generated, but it is preserved as a monument, and the sound of water near the spillway is heard from afar.
Natural Park
The Lama River is still known among tourists because of the Zavidovsky Reserve, which is located in the lower reaches. It was founded in 1972 on the basis of a hunting farm, which has existed since 1929. On the park territory is the residence of the President of the Russian Federation - "Rus." In addition, within the boundaries of the protected zone there are 90 small settlements. The park has mixed forests, many swamps, there are coniferous groves. Many species of mammals live in the forest (41); here you can meet hares, foxes, ermine, and even a bear. The territory of the park is considered the cleanest in the region.
