Yenisei is one of the world’s major rivers, snaking along the thickly forested and mountainous 3,800 km length of Central and Eastern Siberia. It is the largest river system that drains into the Arctic ocean, and its waters are a lifeline for the regions around it. With its abundant and year-round resources, the Yenisei River has formed the backbone of Siberian life since ancient times, while also providing much-needed sustenance to humankind down the centuries. This article examines how the Yenisei River is currently used, and what it can contribute to humanity in the future.
1. Transportation
The Yenisei River is the backbone of northeast Russia’s transportation infrastructure. It is the main gateway for access to and from the Arctic, for instance for the ocean-going tankers and barges that operate in the Kara and Barents seas. This is in addition to the hundreds of smaller vessels that ply the river, carrying an array of goods from the mainland to the surrounding islands and remote chiefdoms of the Russian Far East. Additionally, the Yenisei River is a major highway of travel, with ships and ferries carrying passengers between Siberia and the far north.
2. Fishing
The river is host to a vast array of fish species, including some of the largest populations of salmon and sturgeon in the country. The abundance of fish in the river has been a boon for local fishermen, who make a living harvesting them for both subsistence and sale to markets. Recent studies have indicated that the Yenisei River supports a thriving local and regional fishing industry, with an estimated 1–2 billion Russian rubles worth of fish caught in the river and its estuary annually.
3. Hydropower
The Yenisei River possesses tremendous hydropower potential. Its sources, along with a number of streams and tributaries, are capable of generating more than 80 million kilowatts of electricity. Among the most noteworthy hydropower facilities on the river is the Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam in Krasnoyarsk Krai, the largest operating hydropower plant in Russia. As the sole source of electricity in the region, the dam makes a substantial contribution to the power needs of the local and regional population.
4. Natural Resources
The Yenisei River also contains an abundance of natural resources, including gold, coal, oil and natural gas. These have been exploited to generate revenue for the regional economy and improve living standards in the area. The coal and oil industries are boosted by the proximity of the Kuznetsk Basin, the largest coal-producing region in the Russian Federation, while the Yenisei Bay opens into the oil-bearing Kara Sea. Meanwhile, the Shakhtinskaya gold-mining district is located to the east of the river, and is renowned for its abundant natural gold reserves.
5. Recreation
The Yenisei River is a popular destination for ship and leisure cruises, offering travelers a unique experience of the remote and stunning landscapes of Central and Eastern Siberia. The river also serves as a popular spot for anglers and water sport enthusiasts, with both Lake Baikal and the Yenisei providing the perfect environment for a variety of activities including fishing, kayaking and rafting. Finally, a number of resorts and spas have sprung up along the river, offering visitors the chance to indulge in thermal baths and treatments in a tranquil, natural environment.
6. Environmental Impact
Unfortunately, the increased usage of the Yenisei River has had a detrimental effect on its waters, with overfishing and habitat degradation leading to a drop in fish populations. The Siberian sturgeon, once a common inhabitant of the river, is now facing extinction due to overfishing, while oil and other pollutants have also had a severe impact on aquatic life. In response, a number of measures have been introduced to mitigate the effects of human activity on the waterway, including restrictions on the number of ships allowed to use the river and regulations designed to protect fish stocks.
7. Future Prospects
In recent years, the Yenisei River has become increasingly important to regional and international trade and development. Plans are underway to construct a series of canals, storage reservoirs and locks to improve navigation of the river and enable easier access to northern Siberia. It is also hoped that the region will become a major hub for the export of bulk commodities and other raw materials such as energy and minerals. With these developments, the Yenisei River has the potential to become an important economic corridor for the future of Siberia.
8. Politics
The Yenisei River basin has been a source of ongoing tension between Russia and its neighboring countries, with disputes arising over access to the waters as well as the sharing of natural resources. As a result, a complex set of rules, agreements and organizations have been established to manage the river, including the International Water Commission, a Kremlin-led and European-funded initiative aimed at improving cooperation between Russia, Kazakhstan and other riparian states.
9. Tourism
Thanks to the Yenisei River’s rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife and breathtaking views, it has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists and adventurers alike. From cruises down river to hikes in the surrounding countryside, the area attracts visitors from across the globe. Additionally, the local residents of villages along the Yenisei have embraced the tourism industry, creating hospitality networks and introducing a range of different experiences for travelers to enjoy.
10. Conclusion
The Yenisei River has been an integral part of Siberia’s natural and cultural landscape for thousands of years. From its importance as a key trading and transportation route to its varied resources, it has been a lifeline for the people of the region. Today, it is still an essential component of the region’s economy and environment, and is expected to play an increasingly important role in the future.
