The largest and longest river in the Vologda Oblast is Sukhona. She is the main component of the water flow called the Northern Dvina. The Sukhona River, the photo of which is presented below, has a length of 558 km, the area of its basin exceeds 50 thousand square meters. km Its name was formed from the word "suhodna", which means "with a dry bottom." It originates from Lake Kubensky, where it is also divided into 2 branches: Big Puchkas and Sukhona. The main feature is that for natural reasons in spring it changes its direction. R. Sukhona has a depth of 100 m. There are a small number of rapids and rocky islands.
Geographic features
The Sukhona River of the Vologda Oblast, stretching for almost 560 km, flows southeast in its upper reaches, then turns north and joins the South River. The pool includes more than 4 hundred rivers and about 6 thousand streams. There are also lakes, but most of them are quite small, the area of which barely exceeds 0.4 km. On the catchment you can see dense forest plantations, occupying about 70% of the total space. There are also swamps. The runoff of Lake Kubensky, where the Sukhona River originates, is controlled by a dam built several years ago.
A bit of history
The banks of Sukhona were developed in the 5th century BC. Russian people entered this land much later, in the XI century. It flowed through Arkhangelsk and Central Russia, which made it possible to transport various materials from one place to another. At that time, it was the most important artery, which allowed the development of industry and trade. Carrying out hydrological work to improve the conditions for navigation, scientists have established where Sukhona flows into the Northern Dvina. Such information allowed to expand its transportation capabilities.
In the 19th century, different areas of the river were called differently. For example, the distance from Lake Kubensky to Vologda was called Rabanga (the name appeared after the construction on the banks of the river Rabangsky Monastery), from Vologda to Dvinitsa - Nizhnyaya Sukhona, after Dvynitsa - Great Sukhona.
Economic use
Thanks to the North Dvina system, the Sukhona River connects with the Volga. It is navigable within its territory, however, in the summer, the movement of ships is inhibited due to low water, mainly in the lower reaches. Since 1990, passenger traffic has been stopped, as it was too costly and unprofitable. Currently, due to the release of waste, some areas of the river are heavily contaminated with phenol, so drinking raw water is prohibited. This ecological state of the stream adversely affects its surrounding area.
The Sukhona River of the Vologda Oblast is currently a rather important artery of the country, although work on its improvement (expansion of the channel, deepening) is not carried out.
Hydrology
Snow food predominates. In April, floods begin, which is why large spills (up to several kilometers) form in the upper reaches. Sukhon River it freezes in November-December, and opens only closer to May.
It is divided into three streams:
- Upper (to the mouth). Mostly calm. The width of the river bed does not exceed 200 m. On the banks are forests and meadows.
- Medium (from the mouth to Totma). The course is faster, hectic. The forest is getting closer to the water stream. The depth reaches 100 m, the width of the channel is 240 m. In the same zone there are many rifts.
- Lower (below Totma). The forest runs completely up to the water. The current is fast. The width of the river in some sections can reach 400 m. The islands that were visible before that are completely covered by water.
Animal world
The Sukhona River has 58 species of fish, including 3 varieties of lampreys. The following types are common:
- Putin's - smelt, smelt;
- valuable - whitefish, vendace;
- large-sized - zander, bream.
Very rare and protected aquatic animals live here: nelmushka, trout, salmon, sterlet, and paly.
The fauna of forests located on the banks of the Sukhona River is particularly diverse. Here, frequent guests are foxes, moose, wild boars, hares, wolves, bears. Slightly less often you can find lynx, marten, otter, mink, raccoon, mole, ermine. Geese, ducks nest in these places; you can also find hazel grouse, partridge and black grouse.
Vegetable world
The territory adjacent to the river zone is divided into two subspecies: forest and southern forest. 70% of the entire territory is occupied by forests, in particular spruce. In the eastern region you can meet fir, larch, pine trees. In the southwest, only lichen pine trees sprout; such sparse vegetation is explained by poor soil. In the south - mountain ash and linden. Less common are aspen and birch forests; they replace felled spruce groves. Marshes occupy 10% of the total area. Here you can see undersized pines, birches. 14% are meadows and arable land. Meadows account for only 7%. Cereal, moist grass, and sedge crops predominate. Coarse sedge and coarse-grained forests also grow in the Sukhona Valley.
It is quite possible to track the diversity of the water stream from its source to its mouth, because the Sukhona River is very visible on the map. For example, on a site from Lake Kubensky to Shuisky village there is a birch forest in which aspen, spruce and alder sometimes grow. For natural reasons, he strongly retreated from the coast, on which now wide meadows are located. From s. Shuisky to Totma, they are replaced by forests. Then the river, turning north, again moves away from it. Closer to the shores, the forest approaches only near the tributary of Tolshmy. In the place where the river approaches the mouth, it is replaced by steep banks.
Ecological situation
At the moment, the environmental situation of Sukhona is not happy. At least it contains lignosulfonates, the content of which is exceeded by 30 times. Scientists report that the river receives 180 thousand m 3 of industrial and domestic water containing organic substances every day. At present, due to non-compliance with the standards, the quality of water supplied from Sukhona remains at a low level, while in some areas this condition has reached a critical point. A record number of plants have been built on its shores that adversely affect the state of the water flow. The fact that in 2006 under the threat of flooding due to excessive melting of the snow of the region was threatened by an environmental disaster, already speaks volumes.
On the banks of Sukhona is a great city and the birthplace of Santa Claus - Great Ustyug. There is a huge number of things that characterize the Russian city: domes, lace, huts, bells. In addition to this settlement on the river, Sokol and Totma were erected.
Previously, this water flow was important for the state, as evidenced by Sukhonskaya Street, named after him, which is located in one of the districts of Moscow. Unfortunately, the water flow has ceased to be valued, and its condition is deteriorating every day.