The Western Bug River: a description, tributaries, flora and interesting facts

If the definition of a person's profession is applied to the river, then the Western Bug is a warrior and a border guard. Almost along its entire length, which is 772 kilometers, water divides the borders of three states - Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. During its centuries-old history, ancient shores saw the soldiers of Boleslaw the Brave, the crossing of the Mongol-Tatars and the campaign of Napoleon's troops. Large boulders on the banks of the world were two world wars. The fine grains of border conflicts between water washed away from their shores. Only the sky is reflected in a pure current, and every new day begins with a clean slate. Because you can not step into the same river twice.

General information

Podilskaya Upland of Western Ukraine. Here begins the Western Bug. A sinuous channel with a width at the source of 5-10 meters. Further, gaining strength and current, the width of the water surface reaches 60-70 meters, and in some places reaches up to 300 m. The catchment basin has an area of more than 70 thousand km ² . Ledostav in the Western Bug lasts from the second half of December to the end of March. Throughout the length of the river, a flood level of 3 to 6 meters is recorded. The tributaries of the Western Bug - Mukhavets, Poltva, Rata, etc. - have a dense, flat riverbed network. They are an important element of land reclamation.

Flora and fauna

The flat nature of the terrain on which the river flows determines the characteristic features of the flora of its shores. It is dominated by mixed deciduous and coniferous forests. The banks of the Western Bug have become an ideal place for the organization of natural reserves and sanctuaries, in which the pristine beauty of these places is preserved.

On the territory of Ukraine there is a landscape reserve "Bistriaki" and a zoological reserve "Bug". The Republic of Belarus occupies a special place in preserving the flora and fauna of the near-shore area. The Western Bug and its tributary - Mukhavets - on the western sector are closely adjacent to the territory of the unique natural complex of the Belarusian Polesye. The natural significance of this place is such that it can significantly influence the ecological situation throughout Europe.

Migratory routes of water-swamp birds from Europe to the north of Russia ran through these places for centuries. Geese, wagons, ruffians from olden times chose the Pribuzhsky Polesie for rest during long flights. Here, a natural biosphere reserve has been created, in which favorable conditions for the conservation of rare species of animals and birds are organized. Sizovoronok and serpents, European mink and lynx - all these species of animals disappearing in the central part of Europe have found habitats on the lands adjoining the Western Bug.

More than 500 kilometers the river flows through the territory of Poland. It has become a natural border separating Poland from Ukraine and Belarus. Located on the shore of the city of Zosin (Zosin) - this is the most remote to the south-east Polish community.

Due to the long length of the river in Poland, many natural reserves are organized on its banks. Especially it is possible to allocate Nadbužansky landscape park (Nadbużański Park Krajobrazowy). Its area is 139 thousand hectares, and together with the nature protection zone - more than 222 thousand hectares. This is the largest landscape park in Poland.

In the reserve grows more than 1300 species, among which there are rare protected plants. On the territory of the park live roe deer, deer, wild boar, otter, beaver. Especially attractive are the banks of the Western Bug for birds, among which are often protected "Red Book" species. Although infrequently, but here you can meet an ordinary osoedy, a small spotted eagle, a kestrel or a sparrowhawk.

Drainage basin and geography

The Western Bug River basin is a transboundary water area that belongs to the tributary of the Baltic Sea and contains about 20% of the Vistula catchment basin. It is territorially located in three states. The largest part of the surface of the basin is located in four voivodships in Poland (47%) - Lublin, Mazowieckie, Podlasie and Podkarpackie. The remaining territory in almost equal shares was shared by the Lviv and Volyn regions of Ukraine (27%) and the Brest region of Belarus (26%).

On the territory of Ukraine, the source of the Western Bug has an extent of 185 km and is located in a mountainous area. In the middle reaches, water for 363 km is the natural boundary between the Republic of Poland on the one hand and Ukraine and Belarus on the other. The final section (224 km) is located in Poland and ends in the Zagzhinsky Reservoir and the Narew River, where the Western Bug flows.

The flow of the central part is accompanied by the formation of a large group of lakes. On the Polish side, this is the Lęčińsko-Włodava lake system. On the Belarusian and Ukrainian territories is the Shatsk group of lakes. The largest of them are Orekhovskoye and Oltushskoe lakes, which are located in Belarus.

Geographically, the river basin is located on a vast territory, which includes the Ukrainian plateau, the Brest Polesie and the Pribug Plain. The mouth of the river is located on the Votochno-European plain.

Coastal life

The lands adjoining the Western Bug are mainly intended for agriculture. Almost 45% of the territory is occupied in the agrarian sector of production, forests occupy 27%, and meadows and pastures - 18%. The Polish coast has developed industry and produces building materials, Belarus produces agricultural products and develops processing industry. Ukraine is energy, light and coal mining industry.

In total, about 3 million people live on the lands adjacent to the Bug basin. The largest cities: Lviv (Ukraine) - more than 700 thousand, Brest (Belarus) - 340 thousand, Helm (Poland) - about 70 thousand inhabitants.

Recreation

The Western Bug River, its tributaries, lakes and artificial reservoirs are very attractive for tourism and recreation. Transparent air, impeccable ecology and accessibility beckon here as fans of quiet rural pastime, and supporters of active activities. Water recreation - boats and kayaks - the most popular type of leisure for holidaymakers. Throughout the territory of the coastal area, horse riding and cycling tourism are developing. Fans of fishing have long liked these places. The abundance of different types of fish allows even a novice angler to feel like a champion of quiet fishing.

The most visited places of recreation are on the Lencińsko-Vlodava and Shatskie lakes. In Belarus, the popular destination is the tributaries of the Western Bug Mukhavets and Lesnaya.

Interesting cities on the banks of the Western Bug

Busk, Ukraine. "Galician Venice" - this name is fixed for the city, which is at the source of the many kilometers of the West Bug.

Completely destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars in 1241, due to its favorable location at the beginning of the big river, Busk became a developed center of crafts and trade. Magdeburg law was given to him among the first in Galicia. The Western Bug and forests along its banks became a source of raw materials for the paper industry, which was rapidly developing in the 15th-16th centuries. On paper made in Bisk by Ivan Fedorov, the first edition of the Ostrog Bible was published (1581).

Brest, Belarus. At the mention of this place, memory stasis pushes to the surface only one name - the Brest Fortress. Built near the Western Bug and its tributary of the Mukhavets, it was the first to take the strike of Hitler's troops. The defense of the Brest Fortress is a page of unprecedented courage in the chronicle of the beginning of the war. Every year thousands of people visit the memorial complex in the Brest Fortress.

Brok, Poland. The first mention of Brock dates from 1203. The settlement, which arose on the site of a modern city in the Early Middle Ages, developed due to its favorable location on the bank of the Western Bug River. This was the main trade route, according to which goods from Europe were delivered to Kievan Rus. An ancient city in our time attracts the attention of lovers of good rest reigning in it the atmosphere of antiquity.

The ancient riverbed carries its waters sedately. It keeps in memory various periods of life of the inhabitants of their coasts. In place of wars and the clank of weapons came a peaceful life and melodic songs. Generations were replaced, and new people appeared on the sand. Every day begins with a clean slate. Because it is impossible to enter into the same river twice.