Vilyuy is a river in Yakutia. The tributaries of the Vilyui River. A photo

The largest region of Russia is Yakutia. The river Viluy, located just in this territory, is considered one of the most mysterious. It has many tributaries that flow into the huge Siberian river Lena. Today we learn what Viluy is, how great and important this object of nature is. And we will also admire the beauty of this region, it's not for nothing that the flow of Russian tourists to this region increases every year.

The rivers of Russia: Viluy, or Buluu

These are the two names of the same river. Only Buluu is the name of Yakutia, and Viluy is geographical. However, both words mean the same object.

Vilyui is the second largest (after Aldan) tributary of Lena. This current watercourse is located in Yakutia. The length of the river Vilyui is almost 3 thousand kilometers. It is characterized by a very rapid current. It has many rapids, especially in the upper reaches, where mountain ranges predominate. On the rapids of Ulahan-Khan and Kuchugui-Khan, the river narrows severely and rushes with incredible rapidity to the stone gorge. This place is considered sacred by the people of Yakutia. In their opinion, a special spirit lives here, so the Yakuts often sacrifice horse hair, copper coins and other things for him.

Settlements of people

People began to explore the territory of the Vilyui river basin from the XIII century. Then this place was chosen by the Tungus tribes, however some scientists believe that there were settlements before them. Today Vilyui is a river, the full owners of which are the Yakuts. These are the Turkic tribes who came here in the XIV century. But the Russian Cossacks appeared here only in the XVII century, and it was then that the first winter hut was built, which is now called the town of Viluisk.

What does the river look like in summer and in winter?

In May, an ice drift begins here. This is a very beautiful and fascinating sight. In the summer, the Vilyui River is full of water, however, by the fall the water level is falling. In winter, everything is completely covered with ice. The average annual temperature in the basin is about -8 degrees Celsius. In spring, the water level in the lower reaches 15 meters, so ice congestion at this time is not uncommon.

The river is rich in a variety of fish: sturgeon, pike, ruff, vendace, gerbil, etc.

Nature

Local residents know that near the Vilyui River there are deposits of coal, diamonds, salt, phosphorites and even gold. Therefore, it is not unusual for Yakuts to come here in search of treasure.

The bank of the river is rather stony and rocky. Vilyu flows through the taiga. Here grow both coniferous and deciduous forests. Vilyuy is a river near which you can meet such animals as a bear, a wolf, a deer, an elk, a sable, a hare. Often the beasts come here to quench their thirst.

Beat on ecology

In summer a waterway opens along the river. Steamers and boats carry passengers, and barges deliver goods. Unfortunately, all these vehicles pollute the water. In addition, people themselves have ceased to take care of the river: they do not clean up the garbage after a picnic, throw all sorts of garbage into the water, and even wash their cars here. But all this kills the ecosystem of the river. Viluy has long been considered a dirty place. The mass media draw the attention of the authorities to such negligent attitude to nature. However, while officials do not react to this in any way. Therefore, the residents themselves must be conscious and take care of the places where they live.

But not only the indigenous Yakuts are clogging the river. Underground nuclear explosions, which began in late 1978, the impact of toxic substances contained in space rockets launched from the Svobodny cosmodrome in the Amur Region, the construction of hydroelectric power stations in the headwaters of the Vilyui River, all of which cause a catastrophic blow to the environment.

The main tributaries of the Vilyui River

1. Ulahan-Vava.
2. Chona.
3. Chirquo.
4. Ulahan-Botuobuya.
5. March.
6. Chybida.
7. Tung.
8. Tyukyan.
9. Olgudah
10. Ochchugui-Botuobuya.
11. Balglai.

Reservoir

In 1967, a significant event took place - the Vilyuisk reservoir was formed. When it was created, more than 2 thousand hectares of agricultural land was flooded, and 50 buildings were demolished. Vilyuy is a river that suffers much, including the appearance of a reservoir in its water area. Its area is more than 2 thousand square kilometers. The Vilyuisk reservoir serves for seasonal management of river drains and supplies nearby villages with water.

Strange legend

The Yakuts believe in fiction that along the right tributary of the river Vilyui Olguidakh there is an abnormal zone, which was nicknamed the "Valley of Death". Local residents believe that in that place there is a large copper cauldron buried in the ground. People believe that in ancient times, from time to time, a fire explodes from a metal pipe that is underground (strangely, what it did there). The Yakuts believe that there lived a giant who and metal are these fiery balls. This fictitious giant was nicknamed Wot Usumu Tong Duurai, which in Russian means "a man who has spent his time lying in a hole and liquidating everything around him."

Curious students and their discovery

The river Viluy, photo of which can be seen in this article, attracts attention not only with its beauty, but also with mystery. The legend of the "Valley of Death" even spodvigla three Yakut students to visit during the summer holidays the place where the giant lives.

On the first day in this mysterious place, the boys felt unwell. They were overcome with weakness, dizzy, they even felt a little nauseated. Approaching the river, the guys saw a strange structure, which really stuck out from under the ground, as in the legend. The students wanted to pierce him with a hammer, an ax, but this did not lead to anything. Even no dents or scratches were left in the place where the guys were knocking.

Also, the boys noticed that near that valley grow large mugs and grass, which is 2 times higher than a person. It was uncharacteristic for the nature of that place. From the building, which was discovered by the students, there was some warmth, so the boys arranged a halt there. They put up a tent and stayed overnight. And upon returning home one of the guys noticed that the bald patches began to appear on his head. And after 2 weeks he completely wept. And on one side of the face there were small warts, which to this day can not be removed. Curious students are sure that such trouble with one of their friends is connected with the place near which they visited, where they spent the night. That mysterious structure, they said, could cause such harm to a friend. Whatever it was, no scientific evidence of this phenomenon to this day can lead. Therefore, many believe that such an incident with students is only a figment of their imagination.

Vilyuy - the river is majestic and mysterious. It has many tributaries, the main ones of which were listed in this article. Every year the number of people who want to see the beauty of this river, on its nature grows. Probably, soon Vilyui and its surroundings will receive tourists from other countries.