Ust-Ilimsk Reservoir, reservoir in Irkutsk Oblast, Russia

Ust-Ilimsk Reservoir is an artificial lake on the Angara River in Irkutsk Oblast, running for roughly 300 km through forested and rocky terrain. It is regulated by a hydroelectric station and used as a waterway for timber transport.

The reservoir was filled between 1974 and 1977 as part of the construction of the Ust-Ilimsk hydroelectric station. Several villages and farming areas had to be abandoned and their residents relocated before the flooding began.

The reservoir serves local communities as a vital resource for fishing and timber transport along its shores. Small settlements nearby depend on forestry, and residents view the water and forests as essential elements of their daily lives and work.

The reservoir is best reached by boat, with navigation mainly possible during the warmer months of the year. The water stays very cold even in summer, so direct contact should be approached with caution.

Beneath the surface lie forests that were flooded when the reservoir was created, and tree stumps still protrude from the water in some areas. On calm days, these submerged structures are clearly visible from a boat.