On the territory of Russia, in its European part, one of the largest rivers on the planet flows. The Volga is considered the largest in Europe. Its length is more than 3.5 thousand kilometers (before the construction of reservoirs - about 3.7 thousand). The basin of the water flow covers an area of 1360 thousand square meters. km. Where is the source of the Volga River? What is this section of the stream? More on this and more later in the article.
Name history
In the writings of ancient authors who lived in the first centuries of our era (Ammianus Marcellinus and Claudius Ptolemy in particular), the Volga was referred to as "Ra". In the Middle Ages, the water stream became known as "Itil". According to one version, the Volga River got its modern name from the ancient Mari name of another water stream Volgydo ("bright").
There are several more options. According to one version, the name comes from the Finno-Ugric word "valkea", also meaning "light" or "white". According to another version, the name of the Volga River has Bulgarianroots and comes from "bulga" - the name associated specifically with the tribes living on the shores. At the same time, the Volga Bulgarians themselves used the word "Itil". However, some authors argue that the meanings of the names (Itil and Volga) did not coincide with modern ones. In this regard, the most likely version is that the origin of the name "Volga" comes from the Proto-Slavic "vologa-volgly-moisture". As a result, the name is interpreted as "water" or "big water" (according to the scale of the flow). The presence of the Vilga River in Poland and the Vlga River in the Czech Republic also speaks in favor of the Slavic origin.
General information
The river basin is located on almost a third of the European part of the Russian Federation. It extends in the west from the Central Russian and Valdai uplands to the Urals in the eastern part. The main feeding section of the catchment area from the source to Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod is located in the forest belt, the central (middle) part (up to Saratov and Samara) is in the forest-steppe area, and the lower part is in the steppe area (up to Volgograd). The southern sections are in the semi-desert zone. The division of the water flow into three parts is accepted. The place from the source to the mouth of the Oka River is the upper Volga, from the confluence of the Oka to the very mouth of the Kama - the Middle, from the confluence of the Kama to the mouth - the Lower Volga.
Beginning of flow
Coordinates of the source of the Volga River: 57°15`07`` s. sh. and 32°28`24`` E. e. The current originates near the village of Volgoverkhovye. The source of the Volga is a pure stream flowing from a swamp. This is where it startsduring the largest water flow of the European part of Russia. In the place where the source of the Volga River, a wooden house was built on stilts. A small "window" is carved in the center of the floor. It is located directly above the source itself, and you can even scoop water from it.
Description
The source of the Volga River rises 229 meters above sea level. A temple has been erected on this site. Also here is the first bridge. The length of this "crossing" is three meters. Being at the source, you can easily step over from one bank of the great Volga to another. Downstream from the beginning of the current is the first dam. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century by the then still functioning convent. A little further than three kilometers from the source, the river flows into the Small Verkhity (flowing lake), and then into the Big Verkhity. Further, after eight kilometers, the water stream will flow into the lake. Rod. The river passes with force through this lake and does not mix with it. Locals even say that on a clear day you can even see how the waters pass through the surface of the Sterzh.
Top
It should be said that the source of the Volga River did not differ in deep water. In 1843, a dam was built on the site after the Upper Volga Lakes. The Upper Volga Beishlot was intended to maintain navigable depth in low water and regulate water flow.
The first major settlement from the source of the Volga is Rzhev. Several reservoirs have been created between Rybinsk and Tver: Ivankovskoye (its stillcalled the Moscow Sea) with a hydroelectric power station and a dam near Dubna, Uglich and Rybinsk. In the section from Rybinsk to Yaroslavl and further, below Kostroma, the course of the river passes through a narrow valley between high banks. Here the water flow crosses the Galichsko-Chukhloma and Uglichsko-Danilovskaya uplands.
Then the river flows along the Balakhna and Unzha lowlands. A little higher than Nizhny Novgorod, near Gorodets, a dam blocks the current. In this section, the river forms the Nizhny Novgorod reservoir. The largest tributaries of the upper part of the water stream are Unzha, Kotorosl, Sheksna, Mologa, Tvertsa, Darkness and Selizharovka. Below in the photo you can see what the source of the Volga River is on the map.
Middle and bottom parts
The left bank is low, the right one is high. Not far from Cheboksary, the Cheboksary hydroelectric power station was built. In the middle reaches, in the area below the confluence of the Oka River, the Volga becomes more full-flowing. The water flow runs along the northern border of the Volga Upland. In the middle reaches, the Sviyaga, Vetluga, Sura and Oka are considered the largest tributaries. After the confluence of the Kama, the Volga becomes a mighty stream. Here, in the lower reaches, is the dam of the Zhiguli hydroelectric station, and above is the Kuibyshev reservoir. The dam of the Saratov hydroelectric station was built not far from the city of Balakovo.
Source of the Volga River. Attractions
Not far from the place where the current begins, there are churches of an ancient convent. The source of the Volga River is also the beginning of a kilometerecological trail. The pedestrian path runs through the magnificent places located on the Valdai Hills.
By the Decree of Alexei Mikhailovich in 1649, Volgoverkhovsky Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery was founded. But it quickly fell into disrepair, and at the very beginning of the 18th century it burned down altogether. After that, the monks who served there moved to the Nilova Hermitage. According to the general decision of the inhabitants of the nearby Volga cities, who sought to celebrate the spiritual significance that the source of the Volga River had for them, the construction of a temple in the village of Volga began with voluntary donations. Volgoverkhovye. Since then, every year on May 29, the source of the Volga River is consecrated in memory of this event. Not far from the beginning of the current in the village of Voronovo there is a working farm.
How to get to the beginning of the current?
Leaving Moscow, on the street. Zagorodnaya you should enter Ostashkov, get to the circular road and go left along the street. Guards. Just before reaching the station, a roundabout will appear again, before which one follows along the street. Zaslonova turn right. Next, you need to get to the T-shaped intersection, where you need to go left to the exit. After that, you should get from Ostashkov to the village. Svapusche, where you will need to turn left according to the road sign, towards the village of Volgoverkhovye. After about a kilometer, a dirt road will begin, and after 10 km, Lake Sterzh will appear. The road will turn to the right, towards the forest. After another eight kilometers, after passing Voronovo, you will see the Volgoverkhovye.
