If the definition of human professions is applied to the river, then the Western Bug is a warrior and a border guard. Over almost its entire length, and this is 772 kilometers, water shares the borders of three states - Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Over its centuries-old history, the ancient shores have seen the soldiers of Boleslav the Brave, the crossing of the Mongol-Tatars and the campaign of Napoleon’s troops. Large boulders on the banks of the postponed two world wars. The fine grains of sand of border conflicts were washed away from their shores. Only the sky is reflected in a clean stream, and every new day begins with a clean slate. Because you cannot step into the same river twice.
General information
Podolsk Upland of Western Ukraine. Here begins the Western Bug. A winding channel with a width of 5-10 meters at the source. Further, gaining strength and current, the width of the water surface reaches 60–70 meters, and in some places reaches 300 m. The catchment basin has an area of more than 70 thousand km 2. Freezing on the Western Bug lasts from the second half of December to the end of March. Along the entire length of the river, a flood level of 3 to 6 meters is recorded. The tributaries of the Western Bug — Mukhavets, Poltva, Rata, and others — have a dense flat channel network. They are an important element of reclamation work.
Flora and fauna
The plain nature of the terrain on which the river flows determined the characteristic features of the flora of its banks. It is dominated by mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. The shores of the Western Bug have become an ideal place for organizing natural reserves and wildlife preserves, in which the pristine beauty of these places is preserved.
On the territory of Ukraine - the landscape reserve "Bistryaki" and the zoological reserve "Bug". The Republic of Belarus occupies a special place in the conservation of flora and fauna of the abyss. The Western Bug and its tributary - Mukhavets - in the western section are adjacent to the territory of the unique natural complex of Belarusian Polesie. The natural significance of this place is such that it can significantly affect the environmental situation throughout Europe.
The migration routes of wetland birds from Europe to the north of Russia for centuries ran through these places. From ancient times geese, sviyazi, turukhtans chose the Pribuzhsky Polesie for rest during long-distance flights. A natural biosphere reserve has been created here, in which favorable conditions have been organized for the conservation of rare species of animals and birds. A bluefin and a snake-eater, a European mink and a lynx - all these animal species disappearing in the central part of Europe found habitats on the lands adjacent to the Western Bug.
Over 500 kilometers the river flows through Poland. It has become a natural border separating Poland from Ukraine and Belarus. The city of Zosin, located on the shore, is the most remote Polish settlement to the southeast.
Due to the large length of the river in Poland, many nature reserves are organized on its banks. The Nadbuужański Park Krajobrazowy is especially notable. Its area is 139 thousand hectares, and together with the conservation zone - more than 222 thousand hectares. This is the largest landscape park in Poland.
More than 1300 species grow in the reserve, among which there are rare protected plants. Roe deer, deer, wild boars, otters, beavers live in the park. Especially attractive are the shores of the Western Bug for birds, among which there are often protected "Red Book" species. Although infrequent, here you can find the common beetle, the spotted spotted eagle, the kestrel, or the sparrow hawk.
Drainage basin and geography
The Western Bug River Basin is a transboundary water region that belongs to a tributary of the Baltic Sea and comprises about 20% of the Vistula catchment. Geographically located in three states. The largest part of the basin’s surface is located in four Voivodships of Poland (47%) - Lublin, Mazowiecki, Podlaski and Subcarpathian. The remaining territory was divided in almost equal shares by the Lviv and Volyn regions of Ukraine (27%) and the Brest region of Belarus (26%).
In Ukraine, the source of the Western Bug has a length of 185 km and is located in a mountainous area. In the middle course, water for 363 km serves as a natural border between the Republic of Poland on the one hand and Ukraine and Belarus on the other. The final section (224 km) is located in Poland and ends in the area of the Zagrzyński Reservoir and the Narew River, where the Western Bug flows.
The course of the central part is accompanied by the formation of a large group of lakes. On the Polish side, this is the Lenczynsko-Wlodawa Lake System. In the Belarusian and Ukrainian territories is the Shatsk group of lakes. The largest of them are Orekhovskoe and Oltushskoye lakes, which are located in Belarus.
Geographically, the river basin is located on a vast territory, which includes the Ukrainian Plateau, Brest Polesie and the Pribugskaya Plain. The mouth of the river is located on the Votno-European plain.
Coastal life
Land adjacent to the Western Bug is intended mainly for farming. Almost 45% of the territory is occupied in the agricultural sector of production, forests occupy 27%, and meadows and pastures - 18%. Industry is developed and construction materials are produced on the Polish coast, Belarus produces agricultural products and develops the processing industry. Ukraine is energy, light and coal mining.
In total, about 3 million people live on the lands adjacent to the Bug basin. The largest cities: Lviv (Ukraine) - more than 700 thousand, Brest (Belarus) - 340 thousand, Helm (Poland) - about 70 thousand inhabitants.
Relaxation
The Western Bug River, its tributaries, lakes and artificial reservoirs are very attractive for tourism and recreation. Transparent air, impeccable ecology and accessibility attract both lovers of a quiet rural pastime and supporters of active actions. Water recreation - boats and kayaks - the most popular form of leisure among vacationers. Equestrian and cycling are developing throughout the whole territory of the region. Fishing lovers have long liked these places. The abundance of different types of fish allows even a novice fisherman to feel like a champion of quiet fishing.
The most visited places of rest are located on the Lencinsko-Wlodawa and Shatsky Lakes. A popular destination in Belarus is the tributaries of the Western Bug, Mukhavets and Lesnaya.
