Chirkey Reservoir, reservoir in Russia
Chirkey Reservoir is a large body of water in Dagestan created by a dam across a mountain river. The water fills a narrow valley surrounded by high rocky cliffs that rise directly from the shoreline.
The reservoir was created in the 1970s when a dam was built to generate electricity for the region. This project transformed the landscape and became a key source of hydroelectric power in the Caucasus.
The reservoir lies on the Sulak river in Dagestan, at 335 m above sea level, and its level can drop by 40 m when water is drawn down. The shoreline runs about 86 km and is deeply indented, so plan your approach along the water rather than expecting a single viewpoint. The reservoir is used for fishing and water supply.
The reservoir is split into two distinct parts: a 28 km stretch above the 148th km of the Sulak that looks like a river channel, and a lake-like section up to 8 km long and 3–5 km wide by the dam. The first fish hatcheries appeared on its shores in 1983, and Sevan trout fry were released twice within two years.
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