About 2.5 million rivers flow through Russia. Most of them are relatively small, their length is usually not more than 100 kilometers. As for large rivers, they are really huge and reach shocking sizes.
Relatively small among the latter is the beautiful river Luza, to which this article is devoted. Its location can be seen on the map.
Location and key features
Being the right largest tributary of the South River in length and in area of the basin, belonging to the basin of the Northern Dvina, the Luz flows through the territories of the Komi Republic, Kirov and Vologda Regions. The source is located in the Oparinsky district, near the village of Vazyuk (it borders with the Komi Republic). The Luza River carries its waters to the South. Although the first is a tributary of the second, it surpasses in the completeness of water.
The Luza River has a length of about 574 kilometers. The area of the basin is 18.3 thousand square meters. kilometers. Its main tributaries are the rivers: the right - Lala, Porub, Vazyug, Tulay; left - Korzh, Ula and Shelyug. For the most part, the river flows through the territory of the Kirov and Vologda regions. From the source, it takes the direction to the north, and then throughout its entire length it mainly maintains the western direction.
Description of the relief of the coast and the channel
The territory of the Luza river basin is represented by a hilly plain, heavily forested and marshy. The river floodplain is bilateral, its width is 1.5-4 kilometers. During the flood for about a month, it is flooded, and its depth reaches two meters. The width during the entire course of the river varies on average between 10-20 meters. Up to 75 m, it expands above the confluence of Ula, and up to 150 m - below this place. The shores are mostly sandy or loamy, sometimes marl outlets are found.
Its channel is characterized by tortuosity, the course is quite fast, and during the low water period rifts are exposed. It is mainly directed to the west. The picturesque shores are more gentle, with coastal flood meadows and reaches. They mainly grow mixed forest with a predominance of coniferous trees. Channel deposits are represented by sandstones with an admixture of stones and pebbles. There are many small rapids on the river.
Settlements and Attractions
In general, the valley of the Luza River in the Kirov region is flat with picturesque northern vegetation. Two small dams for hydroelectric power stations were built on the reservoir. On the banks of small settlements. The settlements of Obyachevo, Spasporub and Noshul are located in the middle reaches, and the village of Lalsk and the city of Luza, included in the list of historical settlements of Russia, are in the lower reaches. Basically, the city is located on the Lala River (a tributary of the Luz). It flows into the Yug River near the village of Gavrino (Velikoustyugsky district).
The main attraction of these places is a beautiful complex of temples located in the village of Lalsk. Many tourists come here. It should be noted that you can get here from the city of Veliky Ustyug, using the ferry.
Fishing
The Luza River is good for fishing enthusiasts. Particularly noteworthy in this regard is the average course of the river, where there are fewer settlements. It is here that fishing is quite successful.
From predators in the pond you can catch pike, perch, ide and chub. Also in the river there are crucian carp and roach. In spring, salmon enter the spawning ground in Luz, and in some places it also meets nelma.
Shipping and Crossings
Below the village of Noshul, located 412 kilometers from the estuary, the Luza River in the summertime becomes navigable for about 15-25 days. According to it, until the middle of the twentieth century, mole rafting was carried out, and then, in subsequent years, using rafts.
An automobile bridge is thrown across the river near the settlement of Lalska, and in the city of Luz there is a railway and an automobile. There is also a bridge of Oparinskaya URD, etc.
