Izhevsk pond: description, interesting facts and photos

The embankment of the Izhevsk pond and the pond itself are the main attraction of the city. It should be noted that, in addition to the title of the main property of the city, the pond is the largest man-made reservoir in the whole of Europe among the reservoirs, which are not intended for the production of electricity.

Its length is about 12 km, the width varies from 0.5 to 2.5 km. This pond resembles a huge bowl. The area of the Izhevsk pond is 26 square meters. Km, accommodates in it - 76 million cubic meters. M of water.

A bit of history

The primary purpose of the reservoir is to create the draft force of the water engines of the ironworks.

The pond was created on 10.04.1760, its construction was conducted by the local serfs.

Initially, the dam looked like an earth embankment. In its design, cutouts were provided. Through the main slit water was supplied to the shop wheels, which are intended for filling. The second slot was much smaller, with the help of which water got to the sawmill. In addition, the construction of the dam is provided with a drain.

Already in 1763 the pond was completely formed. The entire length of the dam during this period was about 280 fathoms, and the height - only 4 units. The legendary scientist Pallas himself during his visit to the plant in Izhevsk very worthily estimated the dam and its construction.

Sufficiently well-known in those days was the Izhevsk pond. The photo of a modern city can not fully reflect the atmosphere of the past.

In 1775 the dam was the object of arson. This was done by the Pugachevites, who captured the territory of the plant. The flame enveloped the chests, wheels, dust mills, as well as equipment that stood near the dam. The plant was restored for 5 years.

Izhevsk Pond and Plant

Some time after the start of construction work at the weapons factory, there was a need for a higher level of water in the pond. In this regard, the dam was increased to 646.6 m in length and up to 30 m in width. Also along the dam, from the side of the reservoir, were piles piled, fortified with longitudinal logs. Clay and river sand for consolidation were laid between the constructed wall and the ancient dam. Near the "Veshnyakov" made a special safety barrier from blocks of ice during the descent of water in the spring season. These actions were carried out by the forces of soldiers of the city's invalid mouths, plant workers and mercenaries. For this they were paid a mere penny.

Complexities of pond construction

The uppermost layer of the constructed dam was reinforced already in 1834, after which a stone road with a drain and pedestrian paths was erected next to the structure. Throughout the length of the banks of the reservoir, streets were arranged. The construction of houses and the rest of the infrastructure was carried out regarding the location of the pond.

One of the managers of the Izhevsk plant, Bilderling, proposed to build another dam of the reservoir. Thanks to his idea, the water retained by the bayshot would evenly fill her seasonal flaw. For her, the place has already been determined, and the calculations confirming the absence of damage have been carried out. But the construction never began. In 1885, fundamental repairs were ordered to water structures, after which for a long period the carriage of wagons and carriages for the dam itself was banned.

In connection with the growing authority of the arms factory and the outbreak of World War I, any movement on the dam was strictly forbidden in the time interval from 6 pm to 6 am.

Shipping and pond

If in the 18th century only sailing ships and boats that did not cause damage to the environment were swimming on the water, then in the middle of the 19th century unpretentious tugs and boats crossing the Izhevsk pond began to appear. Izhevsk has turned into a real shipping port. Quite popular among the general public was the pyroscaphe "Izh", the length of which is 12 m. This vessel had a wheeled structure, and due to the presence of one cabin on it, people were often transported to picnics.

Passenger boats Izhevsk pond regularly ply today. The ship with a screw structure first appeared here in 1916, its name is "Storm". Soon the management of the plant and the manufacturers began to appear the most beautiful boats. During the summer, systematic trips to the Volozhka were made through the reservoir, which lasted about 1 hour.

In the distant 1936 river trams were brought to Izhevsk, after 35 years - high-speed motor ships, which spent time on the same path 5 times less. The depth of the Izhevsk pond allowed it to move along heavy cargo ships with various cargoes.

Pond and inhabitants of Izhevsk

Izhevsk pond played a special role in the life of Izhevsk masters and needlewomen. In their works, they often depicted a local landmark, which contributed to the increased demand for their products. And this, in turn, led to the prosperity of the whole city.

Fish in the Izhevsk pond was abundant. The pond abounded in pike, carp, bream, roach and perch. Fishing in these places was very profitable occupation. But soon the quantity of fish began to decrease rapidly. This gave impetus for artificial breeding. As part of the rehabilitation of the reservoir, a carp was launched into the pond, but conditions did not suit him, and the fish died. In the future, it was decided to breed those varieties that previously lived in the pond. Basically it is pike, perch and roach.

Politics and pond

Izhevsk Pond has long been a popular place for revolutionary events. Here, shooting was often organized, political classes, and the Mayors. All these actions were very cleverly camouflaged for recreation in nature and picnics, which took place on a picturesque shore.

1906 in the history of Izhevsk was marked by a floating meeting in which about 150 boats of socialists participated. In a particular case, the city police were powerless.

Throughout its history, many similar events have seen the Izhevsk pond. Unfortunately, the photo can not fully convey the fact that the body of water is a living organism and still retains the atmosphere of the past.

The mysterious history of the Izhevsk reservoir

The appearance of this wonderful pond is quite mystical. The overwhelming majority of researchers and historians believe that in the north-west of Izhevsk there were ravines, which are artificially deepened downwards. These depressions after the construction of the famous Izhevsk dam were flooded. The main version of what is happening suggests that the reservoir was excavated by serfs, who died because of the hardest work. But the only true answer can be given, only thoroughly examining the bottom of the pond.

Recently, it has been thoroughly cleared of bottom mud for research.

The factory pond is the pride of the Udmurt people

The year of foundation of the factory pond is considered to be in 1763, when the plant for the production of metal began to function. Udmurt people perceived this reservoir as a miracle, thanks to the design of the wheels, which rotated by the force of water. The real work of art was the embankment of the Izhevsk pond. Even before the construction of the hydroelectric power station, this reservoir was considered one of the largest artificial reservoirs.

Workers of the plant were connected with the reservoir both during working hours and during rest. Thanks to them, the pond received many names that characterize the surroundings and the surrounding area.

The shape and position of the banks of the reservoir predetermined the geography of the streets of the city and its environs. The pond has made its own corrections not only in architectural buildings and memorial places, but also in the character of Izhevsk residents. Due to the neighborhood with a huge, changeable and playful pond, all local residents are characterized by the immense breadth of the soul, adventurism, craving for everything new and a romantic spirit.

Secret materials

It should be noted that, beginning in 1811, there was another one near the factory reservoir, the so-called reserve pond. It was used to start a mill. Created this pond F. Poppe.

1919 in the history of the Izhevsk pond was marked by the fact that in a solemn atmosphere, with a huge number of spectators, the two-headed eagle was removed from the tower of the plant and drowned in a pond.

37 years after this case, under the stamp "top secret", a monument to Stalin himself was placed on the bottom of the reservoir, opposite the local palace of culture and recreation.

Treasure at the bottom of the reservoir

Indeed, the mysterious and unique is the Izhevsk Pond, which is also legendary in modern times. One of the most popular - about the Devil's pit, which has an incredible depth. Its depth is more than 15 meters. Geographically, it is located nearby. The Volozhka. A huge number of people drowned in this place, but not a single body has been found.

According to the fishermen, they regularly see there the greatest pangolins, pike and all kinds of monsters. These legends are even more inspiring to visit the Izhevsk pond. Fishing, however, there may be a danger in itself.

There are rumors and legends about the two-headed eagle of bronze, which used to be adorned on the top of one of the factory's towers. The illumination illuminated this interesting statue in the dark and made the eagle stunningly beautiful. During the Bolshevik rule, the eagle was repeatedly dumped and again returned to its usual place. But after one of the attempts to discharge to the huge depth of the reservoir, it can not be found for many decades.

Illness of the Izhevsk pond

Methods for the self-purification of a natural reservoir, from the point of view of ecologists, began to malfunction since the 1960s. At that time, this was not given serious significance at all, and the problems began to accumulate and worsen.

The alarm bell followed in 2003, when the water in the cranes of residents began to produce an unpleasant smell. In turn, the water supply was closely connected with the local pond. The main problem was the rotting of algae because of the huge number of the same type of organic.

Already in the next year to combat this problem, more than 5 tons of silver carb has been released into the reservoir, which has not taken root in this pond. After another one year for a positive exit from the situation in the pond, certain algae that fought with flowering settled. But, unfortunately, this method also proved ineffective.

Prevents the complete purification of the reservoir depth of the Izhevsk pond, which reaches 12 meters.

According to the calculations of the Izhevsk Vodokanal, in the summer of 2014 the amount of these algae exceeded the permissible standards by 2.5 times. According to ecologists, this year undesirable parthenogenesis of algae suspended precipitation, which updated and increased the water mark in the reservoir. Therefore, according to the plans of the management of the water canal, it is planned to use manganese and coal for its purification.

Rescue plan

Because of the heat, the pond is inhabited by harmful microorganisms. The temperature of the Izhevsk pond reaches 30 degrees. The withdrawal of the reservoir from an environmental disaster begins this year and will be carried out for three years. This project was developed by the Udmurt Ministry of Natural Resources Protection. Great attention will be paid to vegetation and bottom cleaning. Thanks to these actions, the level of phosphorus compounds that lead to the development of damaging algae will significantly decrease, which, in turn, will lead to the restoration of ecological balance. The cost of works will be about 500 million rubles. Udmurtia will be able to finance only a third of the amount, the remaining money will be allocated from the federal budget.

Also, one of the saving projects for the Izhevsk reservoir is the creation of a reserve reservoir in the Volozhka area. This pond will also collect the spring season waters, which will be systematically lowered into the main reservoir, in order to reduce the harmful effects of algae.

In the financial plan, the price of work will be about 1 billion rubles, but so far this project has been postponed until the necessary amount is allocated. In the meantime, Izhevsk pond envelopes the locals and guests of the city with their warm embraces. The water temperature in it is only a few degrees below the air temperature.

Beach holiday on the Izhevsk pond

Any pond in the city is considered a place for a beach holiday. The same fate befell the pond, which was originally created for industrial purposes. Today, you can swim, sunbathe and even fish.

Despite the fact that the water has not been in compliance with sanitary standards for a long time, the beach of the Izhevsk pond is not empty. For people, bathing in a pond does not pose a danger, as acidity is slightly increased in water. This is not the reason for closing the pond.

Is it possible to swim in the Izhevsk pond today? Can. This is confirmed by local authorities and sanitary services.