Sayano-Shushenskoe Reservoir, Artificial reservoir in central Siberia, Russia.
The Sayano-Shushenskoe Reservoir spreads across three Russian regions along the Yenisei River, holding roughly 31 billion cubic meters of water. The basin was created by a massive dam and is bordered by steep hillsides.
The dam was built between the late 1960s and 1985 and was a major infrastructure project during the Soviet era. This construction marked a turning point in the economic development of central Siberia.
Local people fish in these waters and use them for boating, which brings communities together across the three regions that surround the reservoir. The water itself shapes how people live and work in this remote part of Siberia.
The water is used to generate electricity through a large hydroelectric power station that supplies the surrounding areas. Visitors should expect cold water temperatures and watch for steady paths, especially when exploring the shoreline.
The adjacent nature reserve is a refuge for rare mountain sheep and snow leopards that live in the neighboring mountains. This wildlife shows how the reservoir shapes the habitat of these endangered species.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
