Yenisei is one of the largest and most abundant rivers on the planet, the second longest watercourse in Russia. It flows through the territory of Siberia. The source is considered to be the confluence of two rivers - the Big Yenisei and the Small Yenisei. Refers to the basin of the Arctic Ocean. The length of the watercourse is 3,487 km.
Yenisei is a full-flowing river. More than 500 large and medium streams and a large number of small rivers carry their waters into it. The tributaries of the Yenisei River have a certain peculiarity: there are more right tributaries than left ones. The total length of the entire river system is over 300,000 km.
The most significant and largest right tributaries: Angara, Kebezh, Lower Tunguska, Sisim, Podkamennaya Tunguska, Kureika and others. The largest left tributaries: Abakan, Sym, Big and Small Kheta, Kas, Turukhan. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
The Lower Tunguska River
The Lower Tunguska is the longest right tributary of the Yenisei. The length is almost three kilometers. The Lower Tunguska flows in Siberia (Irkutsk Region, Krasnoyarsk Territory). The source of the river is considered to be an underground spring on the Tunguskaridge of the Central Siberian Plateau. Conventionally, the water flow is divided into two regions: the upper and lower reaches. The upper part of the river has a wide valley, gentle slopes. The length of this section is almost 600 km. In the lower reaches, the width of the valley often changes, becomes narrower, and the banks acquire a rocky character. The uniqueness of this area lies in the fact that sometimes in some areas there are whirlpools. Because of this feature, navigation along the river is much more complicated. However, in general, this river has an accommodating nature, due to which rafting is allowed.
Angara River
The Angara River is the most full-flowing right tributary of the Yenisei, with a length of 1,779 km. Its source is Lake Baikal. The Angara is the only river that flows out of this lake. The catchment area is more than 1 million square meters. km. Flowing out of Baikal, it goes northward to the city of Ust-Ilimsk. Then it turns west. The river has sharp elevation changes, which significantly affects the energy of the flow. Four hydroelectric power stations were built along the entire length of its channel. On the banks of the river rise such cities as Angarsk, Irkutsk, Bratsk. The main raw material resources of the Angara are represented by manganese and iron ores, deposits of mica and gold. More than 30 species of fish are found here, among them: grayling, perch, taimen, lenok. That is why you can often meet fishermen in these places.
The Podkamennaya Tunguska River
Podkamennaya Tunguska is another major tributary of the Yenisei. The length of the watercourse is 1,865 km. The source of the river is the Angra Ridge, the entire channel runs alongCentral Siberian plateau. Podkamennaya Tunguska is considered predominantly a mountain river. In its upper reaches there is a unique valley, which is distinguished by sufficient width and depth. The flow velocity is up to 3-4 m/s. The feeding of the river is of a mixed type, snow predominates. Freeze-up is established from the end of October and lasts until April-May. Ice drift begins in May and lasts 10 days. The river is navigable along almost its entire length, which allows it to be used in the transport sector.
Sim River
Sym is the longest left tributary of the Yenisei. Its length reaches almost 700 km. The Sym flows through the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The catchment area is more than 61 thousand square meters. km. The source of the river is considered to be a swamp in the east of the West Siberian Plain. Meals are mixed, the snow type prevails. From the mouth, for 300 km, the river is navigable. Ice breaks up in October and lasts until May. The Sym River has several medium-sized tributaries.
Turukhan River
Turukhan is the left tributary of the Yenisei. Its length is 639 km. It begins its journey along the West Siberian Plain, flows through the territory of the Turukhansk region (Krasnoyarsk Territory). Flowing into the Yenisei, it forms a picturesque delta. In the lower reaches, the river is navigable, but in the summer it becomes shallow and becomes unsuitable for the passage of ships. Turukhan is distinguished by sinuosity, has a wide channel and a slow current. In some places the coast is quite high. The bottom is made of clay, which turns the water yellow and makes the river undrinkable. Turukhanrich in fish, and this makes the watercourse a favorite place for fishing. A little south of the mouth is the village of the same name.
Big Kheta River
Bolshaya Kheta is the left tributary of the Yenisei, 646 km long. The source of this reservoir is Lake Spruce in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. In some sources, another name for the river is sometimes found - Elovaya. The movement of the watercourse is fast, the coastline mainly consists of steep slopes. The channel has a tortuous character. The river freezes in mid-September, freezing continues until May. For more than 40 km from the mouth, the Bolshaya Kheta River is navigable. Its basin has more than six thousand small and medium-sized lakes. The taiga river is rich in different types of fish. Fishermen come to these places for a big catch. Mostly pike, perch and taimen come across.
