The Yenisei River is one of the major rivers of Eurasia, originating in the heart of the Mongolian steppe and emptying into the Arctic Ocean. It has a total length of 3,210 miles (5,170 km). Historians believe it is the longest river to spring entirely in Mongolia and that its path winds throughout the lands of many nations.
Most experts agree that the Yenisei River begins its journey in the headwaters of the Angara River in the Sayan Mountains of Mongolia. The Angara, in turn, springs from the Chukhmoi glacier, located on the subpolar Urals range between the Vilyui and Khait Mountains. From its source, the Yenisei River runs down the Angara valley, winding through central Siberia.
It is interesting to note that the source of the Yenisei is no longer uncertain. For hundreds of years, the existence of glaciers feeding the river’s headwaters had been suggested but never fully confirmed. In 1929, Soviet geographer Nikolai Urvantsev was the first to prove that a glacier on the eastern side of the Khait Mountains fed into the Yenisei. He followed the flow of the river and made a careful examination of the terrain.
Today, the YeniseiRiver is used as a major trade route by the local communities of Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Large ships are capable of sailing up the river to the city of Noril’sk, the most northern city in the world. The activities that take place on the river include passenger and cargo transportation, fishing, and hunting. The lower course of the river is also used for bathing and swimming, as well as for ice hockey in winter.
In addition, the Yenisei River is an abundant source of energy. The Krasnoyarsk Dam, which was built in the 1950s, is one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world. It was constructed on the lower part of the river and is capable of producing upward of 40 billion kWh of electricity each year.
Overall, the Yenisei River is an important artery in the geography of Eurasia. As its course follows the landscapes of Siberia, it contributes to the development of the region’s economy and the well-being of its peoples.
Flora & Fauna
The Yenisei River is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Species of fish that can be found in the river include pike, bream, carp, burbot, asp, and whitefish. The area is also known for its population of migrating waterfowl, including swans and ducks. Additionally, mammals such as the brown bear, the Siberian fox and the snow leopard roam the area.
The riparian zone of the Yenisei River consists of various mixed and coniferous forests, meadows, and steppes. Trees growing near the shore in the upper and middle reaches of the river include birch, aspen, elm and white willow. Marshy, low-lying areas close to the riverbank are also inhabited by aquatic plants.
The Yenisei River is also known for its large population of sturgeon. In the 19th century, these huge, ancient fish used to migrate long distances up the river, and the area was a commercial fishing center renowned for producing the highest quality caviar in the world. Unfortunately, unregulated fishing and pollution have drastically reduced the population of sturgeon and other species in the river.
Environmental Impact
Over the years, the Yenisei River has been subject to various forms of environmental degradation. Starting in the late 19th century, industrial pollutants such as sulfur and mercury were released into the river, in large part due to the activities of metal extraction and timber processing facilities. This has caused great damage to the aquatic ecosystems in the Yenisei and the surrounding areas.
With the rise in human populations together with industrialization, the Yenisei River has also seen an increase in water pollution due to agricultural runoff and sewage. This has had a detrimental effect on the local fish population and contributed to the proliferation of bacteria and other microorganisms. In recent years, there has been an effort to reduce this pollution and protect the river’s environment.
Aside from pollution, the Yenisei River is also threatened by climate change. Its water levels have fluctuated over the years, with a significant decrease in the flow over the past decade. This has been attributed to a decrease in precipitation due to global warming, leading to droughts in the region and reduced water availability for the local people. There have been attempts to reverse this trend by creating a network of reservoirs and canals in the lower course of the river.
Signed Treaties & Legislation
In an effort to protect the Yenisei River and its tributaries, a number of treaties and laws have been signed between the various countries that share its watershed. The first of these was the 1976 Moscow Treaty between the Soviet Union and Mongolia, in which both countries agreed to collaborate on the management of the Yenisei and Angara Rivers. This was followed by the 1992 Agreement between the Commonwealth of Independent States, in which all the countries in the watershed agreed to cooperate on the sustainable use of the river’s water resources.
As part of this arrangement, a set of common criteria has been developed to regulate activities such as navigation, fishing, hunting, and hydroelectric development in the region. Additionally, a series of integrated plans and strategies have been formulated to improve the management of the Yenisei River’s basin and its associated resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Yenisei River is an important geographical feature of Eurasia, providing economic and environmental benefits for Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan. Its source can be traced to the Chukhmoi glacier of the Mongolian Sayan Mountains and its course meanders across Siberia and into the Arctic Ocean. Despite various treaties signed by the countries that share its watershed, the river is still threatened by pollution and climate change.
