Yenisei is one of the largest and richest rivers on the planet, the second longest watercourse in Russia. It flows through the territory of Siberia. The source is considered the confluence of two rivers - the Big Yenisei and the Small Yenisei. Belongs 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 some peculiarity: there are more right than left. The total length of the entire river system is more than 300 thousand km.
The most significant and large right tributaries: Angara, Kebezh, Lower Tunguska, Sisim, Podkamennaya Tunguska, Kureyka and others. The largest left tributaries: Abakan, Sym, Bolshaya and Malaya Kheta, Kas, Turukhan. Let's consider some of them in more detail.
Lower Tunguska River
Lower Tunguska is the longest right tributary of the Yenisei. The length is almost three kilometers. Lower Tunguska flows in Siberia (Irkutsk region, Krasnoyarsk Territory). The source of the river is considered to be an underground spring on the Tunguska Range of the Central Siberian Plateau. Conventionally, the water stream 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, it 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. Due to this feature, navigation along the river is significantly complicated. However, in general, this river has a flexible character, due to which raft rafting is allowed.
Angara River
The Angara River is the deepest 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 from this lake. The catchment area is more than 1 million square meters. km Emerging from Baikal, it leaves northward to the city of Ust-Ilimsk. Further turns to the west. The river has sharp elevations, which significantly affects the flow energy. Over the entire length of its channel, four hydroelectric power stations were built. On the banks of the river rise such cities as Angarsk, Irkutsk, Bratsk. The main resources of Angara’s raw materials are manganese and iron ores, mica and gold deposits. More than 30 species of fish are found here, among them: grayling, perch, taimen, lenok. That is why in these places you can often meet fishermen.
Podkamennaya Tunguska River
Podkamennaya Tunguska is another large tributary of the Yenisei. The length of the watercourse is 1,865 km. The source of the river is the Angra Range, the entire channel runs along the Central Siberian Plateau. Podkamennaya Tunguska is considered mainly 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 food of the river has a mixed type, snow prevails. 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 almost throughout its entire length, which allows it to be used in the transport sector.
Sym river
Sym is the longest left tributary of the Yenisei. Its length reaches almost 700 km. 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 a swamp in the east of the West Siberian Plain. Food - mixed, dominated by the snow type. From the mouth, for 300 km, the river is navigable. Freeze-up is set 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 Turukhansky District (Krasnoyarsk Territory). Falling into the Yenisei, forms a picturesque delta. In the lower reaches, the river is navigable, but in the summer it shallows and becomes unsuitable for the passage of ships. Turukhan is characterized by tortuosity, has a wide channel and a slow course. In some places, the coast is quite high. The bottom consists of clay, which turns the water yellow and makes the river unsuitable for drinking. Turukhan is rich 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
Big Kheta is the left tributary of the Yenisei, with a length of 646 km. The source of this reservoir is Lake Elovoe, Krasnoyarsk Territory. In some sources, there is sometimes another name for the river - Spruce. 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, ice freezing continues until May. For more than 40 km from the estuary, the Bolshaya Kheta River is navigable. Its pool 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 large catch. Mostly caught pike, perch and taimen.