Domestic tourism is becoming increasingly popular among Russians. Traveling to different countries and continents, it’s a shame not to know how beautiful and interesting the native land is. The nature of the boundless Russian North is pure and life-giving, like water in its many rivers and lakes. Rest here gives health and inspiration, fills the soul with harmony and energy - returns what can be lost over a year of life in a noisy metropolis. A great place for a good rest is the Sheksninskoe reservoir - an important component of the Volga-Baltic Canal.
Features
The huge reservoir located in the Vologda region on the Sheksna River is one of the national natural parks in the north of the East European Plain. The reservoir, which consists of two parts - river and lake (White Lake), is located at an altitude of 113 m above sea level. Its dimensions are impressive: the area is 1670 km 2, the largest width is 20 km, length is 167 km, and the maximum depth of the Sheksninskoye reservoir reaches 20 m. At the bottom are the old locks of the Mariinsky water system.
The reservoir is used for rafting ships and fishing. The area is popular with locals and tourists as a place for successful fishing, picking mushrooms and berries. Men’s companies, friendly families and just a few vacationers come here to rest from civilization. Recently, the influx of foreign guests interested in ethno-and ecotourism has increased.
The origins
Verkhnesvirskoe, Rybinskoe, Sheksninskoe reservoirs are three large man-made reservoirs existing in the Vologda Oblast. The last of the mentioned reservoirs has an unusual shape, due to its transition from a narrow valley, along which it passes almost 40 km, into a wide channel. The Sheksninskoe reservoir (sometimes called the Cherepovetsky because of the proximity of the city of Cherepovets) was formed on the left tributary of the Volga - the Sheksna River - with the help of the Sheksninskaya hydroelectric dam.
The origins of the ancient waterway, mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years, are located in White Lake. The river almost completely got out of its natural channel after the construction of the Rybinsk and Sheksninsky waterworks on it. 20 rivers flow into it. On the territory of the reservoir there are two ancient cities - Kirillov and Belozersk.
History of creation
The Sheksninskoe reservoir was filled in 1963-1964. This is one of the main parts of which the Volga-Baltic water system consists, as well as the most important element of the North-Dvina sluice path. It took several years to prepare the bed of the future reservoir. The total area of flooded land amounted to more than 530 km 2. In the 50s, the Sheksninsky timber industry enterprise was created in Kirillov - an enterprise for logging. Decks for deforestation were organized throughout Sheksna.
The construction of the reservoir in the middle of the 20th century became one of the largest construction projects in the USSR. In the Vologda Oblast, representatives of different nationalities worked, local residents and those who arrived on Komsomol trips. Especially many visitors were in the winter. By 1962, forest on lands ready for flooding was cut down. People from nearby settlements were relocated to Belozersk, Kirillov, Lipin Bor, Cherepovets. Migrants were given money to compensate for losses. Many did not want to move from their homes, but had to obey. Some were transporting the remains of recently buried relatives with them to a new place.
The village of Krokhino, an ancient settlement on the shores of White Lake, was flooded more than 50 years ago during the construction of the reservoir. But the Church of the Nativity of Christ remained on the Volga-Baltic Route as a symbolic lighthouse, helping ships not to lose the right course. It can be seen in the movie "Kalina Red" created by V. M. Shukshin: the temple appears on the screens during the most important episodes in the life of the protagonist.
Local nature
Northern nature is restrained and picturesque at the same time. Sheksninskoe reservoir is characterized by a large number of macrophytes. Of the more than 220 types of higher aquatic plants, 21 types are rare species that grow in the Vologda Oblast. This is a five-flowered Sitnag, ruptifolifolia, cane Tabernemontana, Pemphigus vulgaris and other herbs. The list also includes several types of sedge, small egg capsule, grassy dithy, and other plants.
The area around the Cherepovets reservoir is surrounded by taiga forests, which occupy almost 75% of the region’s vegetation. Coniferous trees, birch, alder, elm, maple are common in them. The inhabitants of the Vologda forests are the following animals:
- the Bears;
- moose
- martens;
- wild boars;
- hares.
Walking in Sokolsky Bor, a popular holiday destination on the Sheksninskoye reservoir, you can see all the wealth of flora and fauna of the territory. In the vicinity of the reservoir lovers come to hunt for game birds. On Sheksna wild ducks, capercaillie, partridges are found. Other commercial species of birds live here, but it is difficult to get to their habitat. Some rare species of animals and birds are listed in the Red Book.
Russian North - National Natural Park
Sheksninsky district is famous for its history. On its territory there are many natural and architectural monuments. The place is known as the edge of 1000 lakes. The northwestern part of the reservoir belongs to the Russian North National Natural Park, created in 1992 to maintain the cultural and historical heritage of the Vologda Lakes and preserve the unique natural system. The main tasks of such zones are to create conditions for a comfortable rest of tourists and their acquaintance with the history of the region.
The protected zone includes the oldest Russian monasteries. Among them is the Ferapontov Monastery, the walls of which are decorated with frescoes created by Dionysius, the great Russian artist. A visit to these places is included in the mandatory program of many tourists coming to the Vologda region. Boat trips on lakes and rivers of the region are also popular with them.
Fishing
The history of the Vologda Oblast is interesting, its forests are beautiful, but the main form of recreation, because of which they go to the Sheksninskoye reservoir, is fishing. Here she is gorgeous! In the XIX century in Sheksna they caught a huge size of a sterlet and delivered to the royal table. The reservoir is home to more than 30 species of commercial fish. Among them:
- smelt;
- zander;
- carp;
- pike;
- perch;
- vendace
- asp
Mostly large-body species are caught here, but there are also valuable ones. In lakes and rivers there are sterlet and whitefish, nelma and salmon. At the bottom of the reservoir, good conditions have been created for the habitat of predatory fish species. Fish pecks well on white and red maggot. Fishermen use bottom gear and spinning.
Fishing on the Sheksninskoye reservoir in summer is the main type of recreation. Men and women fish, and is old and young. Fishermen from the shore and boats, which can be rented from the owners of private houses, in a hotel or recreation center. In recent years, the environmental situation has improved, as evidenced by the crayfish caught in the pond.
Leisure
Sheksninskoye reservoir, a photo of which is presented in this publication, is picturesque at any time of the year. Rest in these parts can be not only contemplative and informative, but also active. For lovers of energetic relaxation on the Sheksninskoye reservoir at any time of the year all conditions are created.
In winter, you can enjoy plenty of snowboarding, snowmobiling, skiing and ice skating, and take part in winter fishing. A covered ice arena was built on the shore where you can watch the performance. In summer, it is interesting to play volleyball, football, tennis or billiards in nature. River cruises, boat trips and yachts are organized.
Beaches
Reserves of the reservoir are fully involved in fisheries and hydropower; used to move ships. Equally important is its recreational function. In warmer months there are many vacationers: the swimming season lasts two months. The water is crystal clear and warm. Local residents have long chosen places for mass recreation on the Ugla River, in the villages of Dyakonovskaya and Poteryaevo.
But the beaches are scattered throughout the coast. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay: sun loungers, deck chairs, umbrellas and tents. You can rent masks and flippers. In specially equipped places you can make barbecue, sit in a pleasant company.
How to get to the place?
From different parts of Russia, the reservoir can be reached through Moscow or Vologda. The distance from Moscow is 322.3 km. By car, take the E-115 highway towards Mytishchi. After passing Yaroslavl, follow the M-8 highway, turning left near Danilov. From Cherepovets along the A – 114 and 19 K – 053 highways, you should travel 77.1 km to Belozersk, the nearest settlement at the right place.
The distance from Vologda to Sheksna is 86 km. Getting from here, take the A-114 highway to Botovo, then turn onto the 19 K-053 highway and move to Belozersk, bypassing the settlements of Maly Ugly, Voskresenskoye, Gorka, Frolovo, Dmitrievskoye, Grishutino, Nesterovskoye, Maltsevo, Iglino, Chulkovo, Rostani.
Where can I stay?
Residents of nearby places, arriving at the Sheksninskoe reservoir, often stop in tents or sleep right in the car. Spartan conditions do not scare them, but rather add a touch of romance to the trip. In recent years, there are more and more people who want to relax in these parts. Not only Russians, but also foreign tourists, go to the Vologda region. Everyone will find a place in the expanses of the Sheksninsky reservoir!
There are many tourist centers, hotels, guest houses, camps and resorts. Ready to receive guests in wooden cottage villages and the private sector. Everywhere you can relax in pleasant comfortable conditions after long walks in nature and gambling fishing.
