Argun is one of the most famous rivers in Russia. After all, it is precisely along it that the Russian-Chinese border passes, therefore a lot of both industrial, economic and political issues are connected with the river. The length of the river through China is about 331 km, and here it is called Heylar. Merging with the Shilka River, both reservoirs form the Amur River.
Mongol legend
The word "Heylar" in translation from Mongolian means "wide river". Ancient legends say that it was in this river that the Mongolian people gained their power. Legend has it that all the Mongols were exterminated by other peoples, only four remained: two men and two women. They took refuge in the impenetrable thickets that then surrounded the wild river.
Since a lot of tall grass grew near the pond, these people began to engage in cattle breeding. Little by little, the first Mongols began to master blacksmithing, built a large number of weapons for defense. Then they defeated all their enemies and settled in the waters of the Onon River, where the great Mongol commander Genghis Khan was born.
Length and other characteristics of the river
According to various estimates of the researchers, the total length of the Argun River is 1620 m. However, some scientists evaluate it differently: from 1620 to 1683 km. As already mentioned, Argun is a river that separates Russia and China. The length of the body of water that runs across the border is 951 km. During violent spills, which usually happens in spring, the waters of the Argun River connect to Lake Dalaynor. Some scientists are convinced that not so long ago, Argun was one with the reservoir, because in this territory there is even a hundred-meter channel. True, it has long been dry.
The total length of the water system of the Amur and Argun rivers is 4445 km. For comparison, the length of the Congo - Zambezi river system is 4700 m. Therefore, the Amur and Arguni river system is in tenth place after the African Congo and Zambezi.
Where is the Argun River?
The source of the river is located in a mountain system called Big Khingan, at one of its peaks - Guliyashan. Upper Argun is located in Chinese territory. Its source flows down from the mountains and begins its journey through the plains, approaching Lake Dalaynor. The next section of the river is the so-called Argun depression. It is located between two mountain ranges: Khailatushan and Argun.
From this point, it is the dividing line between the two states - Russia and China. The largest tributary of the Argun River is the Gazimur River (592 km). The bed of Gazimur passes between the Gazimur and Borshchovo mountain ranges. Another tributary is the Genhe (300 km), which flows into the river on the right side. This is a Chinese river, originating in the eponymous county of Genhe. The river forms many swamps with its waters.
Apart from Gazimur, Uryumkan flows, as well as the Level, from the left bank to Argun. The left tributary, Level, which is 290 km long, paves its way along the Trans-Baikal Territory. Uryumkan (226 km long) flows in the same area.
Features of the Argun River
Argun is a river that feeds mainly on rainwater. In spring and summer, it is characterized by strong spills. The water level at this time sometimes reaches significant marks. With the onset of autumn (mainly in early November), Argun gradually begins to become covered with ice. It is freed from the ice strata by the end of April.
Argun is a river with a sandy bottom. In some areas, sand alternates with silt. Argun is a very winding pond with a large number of channels, sand spits, bays. When it floods during the flood, its waters flood all nearby lowlands for several kilometers. A large number of fish come here for feeding. It remains here after the decline of water, and serves, in turn, as food for other animal species.
It is believed that the Argun River is one of the richest in the entire Far East. Its waters contain a true pantry of fish stocks. In total, about 60 species of fish live in the Argun River.
Is it possible to fish on Argun?
The Argun River in the Trans-Baikal Territory is a favorite place for all fishermen. Fans especially prefer the middle of the river. To get to this place is possible on an asphalt road - Akshinsky tract. But not everything is so simple for fishermen. There are a huge number of problems, because of which the water artery has already been significantly paid up by its reserves and has even become shallow.
Some hydrologists even talk about a possible environmental disaster for the Argun River. The ecology of the reservoir and surrounding nature is rapidly deteriorating. A large number of fish that used to be common for the river are rare today. For example, pike, sturgeon, kaluga. Sazan and catfish disappear. In addition, the plant world of the reservoir is deteriorating. From the Chinese border there is a constant release of pesticides into Argun. The river may soon become the object of intervention by international environmental institutions.