Introduction
The Yenisei River is the fifth longest river in the world and the largest in Russia, stretching some 3,400 miles through four Russian administrative regions. The Yenisei River is formed by two headwaters: the Greater Yenisei (Bolshaya Yenisey) and the Little Yenisei (Maly Yenisey). It is the world’s largest and deepest river east of the Ural Mountains, flowing through Western Siberia, across the Taiga coniferous forests, into the Arctic Ocean. Along its course, the Yenisei River forms some of the most stunning natural landscapes, characterized by boreal forests, meadows, estuaries, and rocky gorges, as well as glacier-fed lakes. Located in the heart of Russia, the Yenisei River plays an integral part in the country’s cultural and political identity.
Where is Yenisei River on World Map?
The Yenisei River is located on the world map stretching from its commencement in Mongolia to its mouth in Russian’s Kara Sea. It is the largest river in Russia with a length of 3,400 miles (5,468 kilometers). Its two headwaters, the Greater Yenisei and the Little Yenisei, form the mainstem of the river. The Greater Yenisei is formed by the confluence of the Selenga River in Mongolia and the Ider River in Russia. The Little Yenisei rises in the Sayan Mountains in Russia and flows north, through Russia’s western Siberian region. After the confluence of the Greater and Little Yenisei, it continues its journey towards the Arctic Ocean. The Yenisei is the fifth longest river in the world and the second largest river in Russia, leading to a large area of drainage basin.
Importance of the Yenisei River
The Yenisei River plays an important role in Russia’s energy production as its waters are used to produce hydroelectricity. The Angara-Yenisei Canal, built in the 19th century, is the basis of this hydroelectricity production system. The Angara-Yenisei Canal utilizes the Yenisei River’s vast flow in order to supply the surrounding regions with power. The Yenisei River is also an important historical and cultural site for the local Siberian communities. Its banks are home to some 500 traditional villages, inhabited by people of indigenous origins. The river is sacred to the local communities and many of their customs and rituals revolve around its turbulent waters. Finally, the Yenisei River is an important conservation site as its rich biodiversity is home to variety of endangered species.
Fauna and Flora along the Yenisei River
The rich biodiversity of the Yenisei River contributes to a wealth of endangered fauna and flora. Although the Yenisei River’s ecology has suffered a great deal of damage due to massive dam constructions, pollution, and industrial development, some of its areas remain in pristine condition, with their wild populations of fish and other aquatic life intact. Its banks are teeming with some of the last remaining populations of wild Pacif ocean salmon, migrating from the Bering Sea. Furthermore, the Yenisei River provides a valuable home to a wide variety of birds, mammals, and plants. The river’s rapids, particularly those of the Eastern Yenisei, still boast a wide variety of wildlife, including beluga whales, grayling, and toothed whales.
Yenisei River Culture
The Yenisei River is home to many indigenous communities and a unique local culture. The local communities along the banks of the Yenisei River have developed a unique lifestyle based on their culture, customs and beliefs. Local communities often celebrate the river’s life-giving waters at annual Shamanic rituals. A large portion of the area’s population is of indigenous origin. It is believed that these communities began to settle along the banks of the Yenisei River in the 5th century AD and have continued to do so ever since. There are many different ethnicities that inhabit the area, making up a highly diverse population.
Exploration of the Yenisei River
The Yenisei River was explored by Russian adventurers and imperialists starting from 1853, when the first steamboat was used to navigate the river from its banks. The first European to reach the much sought-after upper Yenisei was a Russian officer Nikolay Przhevalsky in 1862. The island chains of Sihote-Alin and Yadrin, located on the Yenisei’s impassable rapids of the same name, saw the first expeditions in the 1890’s. Many more exploration and navigation adventures on the Yenisei River have since been undertaken by Russians, particularly during the Soviet period.
Tourism on the Yenisei River
The Yenisei River is a very popular destination for ecotourism, especially during the summer months. A great number of river tours, usually lasting from seven to ten days, offering travelers an opportunity to explore the untouched areas of Siberia. These river cruises take visitors across the banks of the Yenisei and through some of Siberia’s most incredible and remote landscapes. These tours are also a prime opportunity to meet locals and learn about the culture of the area.
Environmental Threats on the Yenisei River
The Yenisei River is being increasingly threatened by environmental pressures. These include pollution resulting from industrial activity, illegal fishing, the construction of dams, and climate change. There is duality among the locals, who both rely on the river and contribute to its degradation. Water pollution is a major issue along the riverbank. Industrial waste, wood logs, and trash are often discarded directly into the river, hindering its ability to support life. Industrial pollution from nearby cities such as Krasnoyarsk and Abakan often affect the fish population along the Yenisei.
Conservation Efforts
Various efforts have been made in recent years to conserve and protect the Yenisei River. In the year 1997, a region known as the Yenisei Reserve was created, a protected environmental sanctuary of over 580,000 acres. This conservation area is home to some of the most endangered wildlife species in Russia, and strictly limits any human activities that could harm the riverbank. The Yenisei Reserve is managed by the Nature and Environment Republic Reserve, a local NGO that promotes environmental sustainability and ecological awareness. In addition to this, many organizations are running campaigns to inform the local communities about the importance of taking care of the river and its many inhabitants.
Effects of Climate Change
Climate change has had an enormous impact on the Yenisei River, leading to shifts in its water flow. Warmer temperatures are causing glacier ice to melt in the upper watersheds, thus increasing the Yenisei’s water levels. Not only does this cause frequent flooding, it also leads to the contamination of the river’s water with increased amounts of sediment and salt. As a result, the river’s entire aquatic ecosystem is put under threat. The effects of such extreme weather events are felt all along the Yenisei’s course and are having an especially detrimental effect on its indigenous inhabitants.
Fishing Industry
The Yenisei River is a key source of income for the many local communities whose populations rely heavily on the river’s fish stocks. The main species of fish include the rare taimen, the omul, Siberian white salmon, sturgeon and the sterlet, among others. Unfortunately, illegal fishing and overfishing are threatening the survival of these unique species. Over the past decade, commercial fishing has declined close to 50%, with the taimen population decreasing by a similar percentage. Growing efforts are being made to protect the river’s threatened species, including the creation of local subsistence fishing limits, where fishermen are allowed to catch a certain amount for personal consumption.
Conclusion of Development Projects
The Yenisei River has been at the center of many large-scale hydropower development projects throughout the past century. These projects are responsible for drastically altering the course of the Yenisei, including the construction of Krutogorovskaya dam and the Krasnoyarsk reservoir. While these projects help provide power to millions of people, their impact on the Yenisei’s fragile ecosystem cannot be overlooked. Many experts now agree that the construction of Siberianskiy dam would be detrimental to the river’s rich biodiversity.
How the Yenisei River Affects the Climate
The Yenisei River is an important regulator of the earth’s climate. Its waters contain a great deal of heat and moisture, which help to buffer and stabilize the climate of the surrounding area. The Yenisei has huge impacts on western Siberia regulating the temperature and humidity of the region. The river’s waters also have a huge influence on the climate of Central Europe, acting as a transport for warm air from the far east.
Adaptations of Yenisei Wildlife
The Yenisei River’s great diversity and abundance of wildlife are dependent on its many intricate adaptations. A number of species have evolved to survive the extreme conditions of the river and its icy waters. The taimen, for example, are a species of giant trout that can reach up to 5 feet in length. These fish have developed extremely thick layers of fat and fur-like scales to cope with the icy temperatures of the river. Similarly, the beluga whales have developed enhanced hearing systems, allowing them to survive the intense underwater pressure of the Yenisei’s rapids.
Social Impacts of the Yenisei River
The construction of dams and other development projects to maximize the Yenisei’s hydroelectric potential have had a huge social impact on the local communities living along its banks. With their way of life heavily reliant on the river for income, fishing and traditional activities, the Yenisei’s rapid development has caused huge amounts of disruption. Local peoples have been forcibly relocated from their ancestral homes and have seen their jobs, lands and livelihoods taken away, as a result of the river’s development. Furthermore, air and water pollution from the surrounding area are now taking their toll on the local people’s health.
International Cooperation
The importance of the Yenisei River is recognized by a number of international bodies. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared it a world heritage-listed landmark, while the International Commission for the Protection of the Yenisei (ICPY) has been established to protect and preserve the important ecological function of the river. The ICPY is actively responsible for the allocation of water rights, current investments and policies relating to the river’s development. Its main aim is to ensure the ongoing protection and use of the Yenisei’s resources for the benefit of all.
