Left tributaries of the Western Dvina. Western Dvina River. Daugava, river – description

The first city on my way of “real Latvia” (as opposed to “separate” Latgale) was Koknese (6 thousand inhabitants), located on the Daugava on the road from (or rather,) to Riga. In Polotsk it was called Kukeinos, among the Baltic Germans it was called Kokenhausen, and in fact its only attraction is in the introductory frame.

Koknese is no longer Latgale, about which the last dozen posts were, but Vidzeme is the southern half of the Livonia province, the land of Lutheranism, castles and deep forests, “Latvia by default”, from where Atmoda spread - the “national awakening” of Latvians. But “deep” Vidzeme is very different from the Daugava valley - its Vidzeme part is essentially a distant suburb of Riga with a 100-kilometer chain of towns Ikskile, Ogre, Kegums, Lielvarde, Aizkraukle, Koknese, Plavinas... There are not even bus stations everywhere - only stops on the highway. This is where I arrived from Jekabpils, where I left in Lielvarde:

Koknese is a really small and, frankly speaking, poor town. But - clean and with two or three supermarkets, which is so typical for Latvia. Most of Koknese looks something like this:

And instead of the historical center there is a huge park near the Daugava:

The well-keptness of the parks is something that makes me envious in the Baltics. To a greater extent in Lithuania, but also in Latvia.
The fountain at the entrance is called “Faun’s Head” and was created back in the 1930s by sculptor Voldemar Jacobson, and moved to its current location in the 1960s.

A little over 8 centuries ago, the first proto-states began to take shape in the Baltic states, mostly small principalities, among which three stood out in size on the territory of Latvia: Talava (north of the country), Gersik (prototype of Latgale) and Kukeinos. The Orthodox prince Vyachko ruled in Kukeinos - according to one version, the Slav Vyacheslav Borisovich, and according to another, a Latgalian or Liv, whose nickname simply meant Leader (Vetseke). Some consider him a vassal of Polotsk, others that he simply skillfully maneuvered between powerful neighbors, wresting benefits from Polotsk for its merchants through Orthodox Baptism, and through his marriage to a Lithuanian woman, peace with their southern neighbors. And when the swordsmen knocked on the door, Vyachko tried to negotiate with them, but was captured and taken in chains to the Bishop of Riga. I don’t know what they agreed on, but once free, the prince burned down his castle and left with his retinue for Polotsk in 1208.

The principality and the Daugava valley in general entered the possession of the Riga Archbishopric, which (together with three other Livonian bishoprics) was actually a principality, and soon turned into perhaps the main enemy of the Livonian Order. But among the archbishop's possessions, Kokenhausen essentially became point No. 2 after Riga - a southeastern outpost that gave access to both Lithuania and Rus', and therefore, in wars with the Order, it always ultimately remained with the archbishop. The archbishop appointed the best of the best as governors here - for example, in 1229-1395, the Tyzengauzes, one of the most powerful families of Livonia and Lithuania, ruled here (see). However, not everything was smooth with the archbishop’s vassals - for example, in 1292, Hans Tyzenhaus was excommunicated for imprisoning Archbishop John II in a basement, extorting money and privileges (not without collusion with the Order), and a few years later the same procedure was followed here with his successor John III.

In 1420, Koknese even became the summer residence of the Archbishop of Riga, and from the 1520s, when the Reformation won in Riga, it became simply the center of Catholicism in Livonia, where both the archbishop himself and the monks who left Riga lived. This was the heyday of the city - there was even a mint here. Here, in Kokenhausen, in 1547, the last Riga Archbishop Wilhelm von Brandeburg from the Hohenzollern family was captured by the Livonians.

However, even after all the storms of the 16th century, Kokenhausen developed regularly, and in Swedish Livonia it was the third most important city, after Riga and Dorpat (Tartu), in fact becoming the capital of the future Vidzeme. In 1656-61, Kokenhaus even managed to be the Russian city of Tsarevich-Dmitriev - Alexei Mikhailovich planned to establish the capital of Russian Livonia here if he failed to conquer Riga, and during the war, under the leadership of the governor Ordin-Nashchekin, the city became the main supply base for the army. Well, it came to an end in 1701, with the beginning of the Northern War - with a quick blow, the Polish-Saxon-Russian troops that captured the fortress, when the main forces of the Swedish army approached, blew up the castle and left for Courland. During the years of the war and plague of 1709-10, the city also fell into disrepair, and by the middle of the 18th century it had become a backwater.
For a detailed history, I refer you to Renata Rimsha’s website, but for now let’s move on.

To the gazebo on the hill:

10.

From which there is a view of the mouth of the Perse River and the ruins of a huge castle on the cape:

11.

This is what the same place looked like a hundred years ago - the fact is that in 1960-67, down the Daugava, the second hydroelectric power station on the Plavinska river was built (after the pre-war Kegumska), the city of which was originally called Stuchka (in honor of the main Latvian Bolshevik of the times Civil), and since 1991 Aizkraukle. The water level in the river rose, as I was told in the castle museum, by 60 meters - and when looking at old photographs, it seems that this is so.

12.

On the neighboring hill, before the First World War, there stood the New Castle, built in the 1890s by Otto von Livenstern - a super-typical case for Vidzeme, the same in Cesis and Sigulda.

13a.

In 1846, an Orthodox Latvian parish was founded - in those days, many Latvians converted to Orthodoxy. Peter and Paul Church (1877) destroyed before filling the reservoir:

13b.

But now we are approaching the castle cape. Further entry is paid, although this is a classic example of “raising funds to repair a failure so that it doesn’t fail completely” - as such, the “museum” is represented by several old photographs (which is actually higher) and one stand in the same room as the ticket office, but here’s the price as elsewhere in Latvia, it’s noticeable - with our money, 120 rubles. The ladies there, however, are very nice, they told me a lot and gave me a map of the city.

14.

This is what you can't do in a castle. The third icon with Spider-Man is especially good:

14a.

Mouth of Perse, high water:

15.

But the white stone ruins are stunningly majestic and picturesque. Renata again has a detailed description of its structure on the website - in short, the castle had a triangular shape, at different times there were from 5 to 7 towers, including at the “edge” Long Henning in honor of Archbishop Henning Scharpenburg, who lived here in exile. The castle took on its last appearance before destruction in 1625 after the conquest by Sweden, that is, despite the apparent Middle Ages, these walls are mainly from the 17th century.

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The castle is not big at all, but it is impressive, and the water comes close to it:

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A cannon in the ruins of Long Henning aims downstream:

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The foundation was strengthened only in 1993-98 - before the walls went straight into the water, but now a narrow cornice has appeared. Walking on it is generally prohibited, but this is the most unusual sensation in the ruins of Kokenhausen.

24.

But it’s still not worth calling Koknese “Atlantis” - as can be seen from old photographs, there was nothing special under the mountain. And Koknese was not a town in the 20th century - just an estate, two churches of different faiths and a tavern near the road. Let's go back:

25.

From the castle I walked through the park, hoping to make a circle and get out to the same stop. After about ten minutes of walking along the river, past the summer theater, lonely cottages, piers with boats, you will come to the church (1681) - it still remembers the times when the city stood here.

26.

I don’t know what time these portals are - but I want to believe that this is not an “antique” decoration from the times of the Livenshterns. The bicycle belongs to the caretaker who was sitting next to me - he invited me to climb the tower, but I was too lazy - it was hard, and anything interesting was hardly visible from there.

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Church decoration. Nothing extra:

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Then I went out into the city, bought some pies at the nearest supermarket and had them for breakfast, and then the bus arrived. The day started off very well. Finally, here’s a sketch: I admit that with wheels as solar signs

Western Dvina(in Belarus - Zahodnyaya Dzvina, in Latvia - Daugava, Daugava) - a river in Russia, Belarus and Latvia, basin. Ancient names: Eridan, Khesin.

The source of the Western Dvina (Daugava) river is located in the swamps of the Valdai Upland, approximately forty kilometers south of the source , where the river flows from the small lake Koryakino near the village of Shcheverovo, Penovsky district, Tver region. It flows into the Gulf of Riga of the Baltic Sea in the capital of Latvia, Riga.

The Western Dvina (Daugava) has a length of 1020 kilometers, of which 325 kilometers are in Russia, 328 in Belarus and 367 in Latvia. The basin area is 87.9 thousand km2. The width of the Western Dvina River in the upper reaches after Lake Okhvat is 15-20 meters and increases towards the mouth to 1.5 kilometers. The river first has a southwestern flow direction, after the city of Vitebsk in Belarus it changes to the northwestern. The river slope is 0.2 m/km.

Settlements.

Along the banks of the Western Dvina River there are many settlements in Russia, Belarus and Latvia. Among them are the cities: Andreapol, Western Dvina, Velizh in Russia; Vitebsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Verkhnedvinsk in Belarus; Kraslava, Daugavpils, Livani, Jekabpils, Ogre, Salaspils and Riga in Latvia.

On the territory of Russia along the Western Dvina River there are also settlements - Lauga, Okhvat, Bdyn, Kurovo, Troskino, Rogovo, Sobolevo, Reksovo, Milavino, Sinichino, Lubenkino, Erokhino, Zhelezovo, Novaya, Khotino, Lavrovo, Novoivanovskoye, Tyukhovo, Mozhaitsy, Matings, Zagorye, Zaluzhye, Gorokhovka, Scrubs, Shlyki, Dachny, Chunks, Konovo, Pashkovo, Kovali, Solovo, Brod, Sevastyanovo, Pavlova Luka, Trubniki, Mikhalevo, Belyankino, Pervomaisky, Agryzkovo, Petrovo 1st, Torhovo, Vekoshane, Shcherbino, Ustye (Tver region), Shinkovo, Dubrovka (Pskov region), Khlebanikha, Krutiki, Guba, Dubrovka (Tver region), Rusanovo, Vyrvino, Velishchi, Borovye, Khukhovo, Crosses, Marfelevo, Usoditsa, Rubezhnik, Dorozhkino , Chetvernya, Ustye (Pskov region), Goryanye, Poimishche, Serteya, Drakes, Podpoyaski, Bakhtei, Klimovo, Belousovo, Makuni, Naumovka, Varnyshi, Uzvoz, Yastreb 1st, Yastreb 2nd, Upper Krasnoe, Lower Krasnoe, Boloshki, Upper Sekachi, Lower Sekachi, Kozye, Panfilovo, Belyaevo, Dyatlovo, Luchenki, Tarasenki, Verkhovye, Maloe Verkhovye, Gredyaki, Orlyaki.

Main tributaries.

The main largest tributaries flowing into the Western Dvina are the following rivers: Volkota, Netesma, Ulla, Ushacha, Disna, Lautsesa, Ilukste, Kekavinya, Luchosa, Obol, Polota, Drissa, Dubna, Aiviekste, Perse and Ogre.

Left tributaries of the Western Dvina (Daugava): Goryanka, Netsema, Fedyaevka, Velesa, Medveditsa, Fominka, Usoditsa, Mezha, Kasplya, Vitba, Krivinka, Ulla, Turovlyanka, Ushacha, Nacha, Disna, Volta, Meritsa, Druika, Lautse, Ilukste, Eglaine, Sala, Lautses,

Right tributaries of the Western Dvina (Daugava): Krivitsa, Volkota, Zhaberka, Gorodnya, Grustenka, Lososna, Okcha, Svetly, Toropa, Zhizhitsa, Dvinka, Stodolskaya, Oleska, Usvyacha, Luzhesyanka, Obol, Sosnitsa, Polota, Drissa, Uzhitsa, Saryanka, Rosica, Indrica, Liksna, Dubna, Nereta, Aiviekste, Perse, Brasla, Ogre.

Relief and soils.

In the Western Dvina River basin, the relatively large uplands of Vitebsk, Gorodok, Latgal, Vidzem alternate with the wide lowlands of Polotsk, East Latvian, and Central Latvian.

Almost along its entire length, the Western Dvina flows through a deep valley with wooded steep and moderately steep sandy loam banks. The valley is predominantly trapezoidal in shape, deeply incised or featureless in places. The width of the river valley in the upper reaches is no more than 0.9 kilometers, increases on average to 1-1.5 kilometers, and in the lower reaches to 5-6 kilometers. Below 150 kilometers from the source, in a small area, the valley is already poorly defined. The river here passes through lakes Luka and Kalakutskoye. On the coastal plain near the Western Dvina there are low banks. In the lower reaches the river is divided into branches. In the mouth zone, the valley is an erosive delta about 35 kilometers long. When it flows into the Gulf of Riga, the river forms an underwater bar. The river's floodplain is predominantly two-way.

Hydrological regime.

Freeze-up on the Western Dvina River lasts from December to March. The diet is mixed, with a predominant share of snow and a significant part of soil. In spring, high water occurs from late March to early June. Summer low water is interrupted by rain floods. Autumn floods occur more often. Low water in winter lasts from December to mid-March. In some years, in winter there may be floods caused by thaws. The average water flow at the mouth is about 700 m 3 /sec.

The Western Dvina River basin is located in an area of excess moisture. The channel is moderately winding, weakly branched, and is distinguished by numerous rapids, which are associated with the accumulation of boulders and, in places, bedrock outcrops of dolomite. Above Vitebsk, Devonian dolomites reach the surface and form rapids reaching a length of 12 kilometers.

The Western Dvina begins as a small stream and a few kilometers from the source it flows into Lake Okhvat. After it, the width of the river becomes 15-20 meters. Further, in the section between the cities of Andreapol and Western Dvina, the width of the river increases to 50 meters. After the city of Western Dvina, the river, having overcome the rapids section, receives the waters of the large tributaries Velesa, Toropa, Mezha and expands to 100 meters.

Below the mouth of the Mezha, a large tank was built to collect timber rafted down the Mezha. After it, the river flows in high banks covered with mixed forest. At the city of Velizh, after which the Western Dvina becomes navigable, the forest ends.

From the Latgale to Augshzeme uplands, the Western Dvina flows through an ancient valley. The width of the river here already reaches 200 meters. After Daugavpil, the Western Dvina enters the East Latvian Lowland. The river flow slows down, the banks become low. During spring floods, ice jams often form in this area, and large areas are flooded with water.

Between Jekabpils and Plavinas, the Western Dvina has steep banks, with steep cliffs made of gray dolomite. From Plavinas, after the construction of the Plavinas hydroelectric power station, the river valley was flooded with the waters of the Plavinas reservoir, the water level increased by 40 meters. After Jaunelgava to Kegums, the Kegums Hydroelectric Power Station reservoir was created in the riverbed, and at Salaspils the river was blocked by the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station dam.

Below Dole Island, the Western Dvina (Daugava) flows through the Primorskaya Lowland. The valley is formed by loose sediments of the Quaternary period. The banks of the river here are already low, river sediments fill the valley. Near Riga, sand deposits form the islands of Zakusala, Lucavsala, Kundzinsala, Kipsala and others. In Riga, the width of the river becomes about 700 meters, downstream it reaches 1.5 kilometers, and the depth is 8-9 meters.

The average water flow in the Western Dvina is 678 m³/s.

Ichthyofauna.

In the Western Dvina (Daugava), the reservoirs of its basin and in the estuary, the following fish species were noted: Sea lamprey, River lamprey, Brook lamprey, Sterlet, Atlantic sturgeon, Finta, Salmon, Taimen, Brook trout, European vendace, Peled, Sea whitefish , Migrant whitefish, Smelt, Wallfish, Pike, Roach, Dace, Chub, Ide, Minnow, Rudd, Asp, Verkhovka, Tench, Gudgeon, Bleak, Bystryanka, White bream, Bream, Blue bream, Vimba (full), Chekhon, Gorchak, Golden crucian carp, Silver crucian carp, Carp, Amur carp, Char, Spike, Loach, Catfish, Eel, Burbot, Nine-headed stickleback, Three-spined stickleback, Pike-perch, Perch, Ruff, Eelpout, Sculpin, Sea goby, Flounder.

Economic importance.

The Plavinas, Kegums, and Riga hydroelectric power stations were built on the Western Dvina in Latvia. Thanks to the river it is the only major national source of energy in Latvia. In some sections the river is navigable. Connects an inactive water system to.

Tourism and rest.

The abundance of fish species indicates the attractiveness of the Western Dvina (Daugava) River for fishing enthusiasts.

Reference Information.

Length: 1020 km

Basin area: 87,900 km²

Pool: Baltic Sea

Water flow: 678 m³/s (at the mouth)

Slope: 0.2 m/km

Source: Lake Koryakino, Valdai Upland, Shcheverovo village, Penovsky district, Tver region

Altitude: 215 m

Coordinates:

Latitude: 56°51′15.6″N

Longitude: 32°32′25.4″E

Estuary: Gulf of Riga Baltic Sea, Riga, Latvia

Coordinates:

Latitude: 57°3′43″N

Longitude: 24°1′33″E

The Daugava is not just a river carrying its waters across Latvia, it is the most important life artery of the entire country. Fishermen, farmers and artisans have long settled on the banks of this river. Powerful knights built real castles, and servants of God built temples.

And in our time it participates in human life. Ships sail along the Daugava River in Latvia; the power of the river is converted into electricity. At all times, this natural reservoir has inspired painters and poets, and today it attracts the attention of tourists all over the world.

Description

The river is interesting not only for its amazing beauty, but also because it carries its waters across the territories of several countries. It originates on the Valdai Hills, in the Tver region of Russia. Its length across Russian territory is 325 kilometers. Further it flows through Belarus (327 km). It should be noted that here and in Russia it is called the Western Dvina.

It flows through Latvia from southeast to northwest, and its length is 368 km. The first settlement located on the river bank is Kraslava, and the final one is Riga. The mouth of the Daugava is the Gulf of Riga.

The total length of the Daugava River is 1020 km, the valley is 6 km wide. The greatest width is near the bay (1.5 kilometers), and the minimum is noted in Latgale (197 meters). The depth of the river is within 0.5-9 meters.

The main channel of the Daugava lies on a plain with a large number of low-lying areas. Due to this circumstance, every spring the river overflows heavily, flooding nearby cities.

Attractions

The Daugava River is stunningly beautiful. Along its entire length across the territory of Latvia there are many attractions and picturesque settlements. The most famous of them are the following:

In the Kraslava region, in Latgale, the river makes 8 sharp bends to Daugavpils, which creates a unique beauty viewed from the observation platforms and natural hills of the Daugava Bends National Park.
Along the river in a northern direction, on the left bank, the Daugava shelters the city of Ilukste with the natural park Poima Dviete. Every spring, it is flooded for 24 km, but this does not stop travelers from coming here. There is a picturesque valley, beautiful forests and meadows, and you can also see wonderful plants and rare birds.
On the right bank of the Daugava, where the river flows. Dubna, the wonderful city of Lebanon is located. And then at a distance of about 30 km. The wonderful city of Jekabpils stands on both banks, both parts of which are connected by a bridge across the river.
Between the towns of Aizkraukle and Jaunelgava lies the magnificent picturesque park "Daugava Valley".
Where the Ogre River flows into the river, in the delta of which the city of the same name is located, there is a natural park. In the past it was a large settlement. It houses the Museum of the History of the Daugava.

The capital of Latvia is also located on the river. It is located on both banks of the Daugava. There are four large road bridges across the river within the city boundaries. From Andrejsala (peninsula), located in Old Riga, the port of Riga originates, stretching all the way to the Gulf of Riga.

Kayak and boat rafting along the Daugava takes place every year. Amateurs and athletes from all over the world come here. Tourists enjoy picturesque views of the river banks while traveling on pleasure yachts, motor ships and river trams. The serenity and silence of these places captivates at first sight and remains in the hearts of travelers for a lifetime.

A little history

As noted above, the Daugava River in Russia is called the Western Dvina. The writer N.M. Karamzin, like many historians, identified Eridanus (a river god in ancient Greek mythology) with the Western Dvina. Amber (“tears of Heliad”) was found at the mouth of the Western Dvina.

Throughout history, the Western Dvina had 14 names: Dina, Tanair, Vina, Turun, Dune, Rodan, Eridan, etc. In the 15th century, the Flemish knight Gilbert de Lannoa noted that the Dvina was called Samegalzara (Zemgall water) by the Semigallians.

In ancient times, along this reservoir there was a route “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” The name “Dvina” was first mentioned by Nestor (monk-chronicler). According to V. A. Zhuchkevich, the Dvina is of Finnish origin with the meaning “quiet, calm.” And the Latvian name “Daugava”, apparently, was formed from the ancient Baltic words: daug - “abundantly, much” and ava - “water”.

Geologically, the settlement of the Western Dvina River basin began in the Mesolithic era.

Largest cities and tributaries

The largest tributaries of the Daugava River (Western Dvina):

in Russia - Mezha, Veles and Torop;
in Belarus - Usvyacha, Luchosa, Kasplya, Ulla, Polota, Obol, Ushacha, Drissa, Disna, Saryanka;
in Latvia - Ogre, Aiviekste and Dubna.

Cities located on the banks of Andriapol, Velizh, Polotsk, Vitebsk, Novopolotsk, Beshenkovichi, Disna, Druya, Verkhnedvinsk, Kraslava, Livani, Daugavpils, Jekabpils, Aizkraukle, Ogre, Plavinas, Jaunelgava, Lielvarde, Ikskile, Kegums, Salaspils and Riga.

Finally

A video was recently posted online that caused surprise and some horror among many. It depicts a rather powerful whirlpool in Latvia on the Daugava River. It became a sensation. In just a few days, more than 1.8 million people viewed it on YouTube. The video, which was filmed by Janis Astićs in the spring, shows that the whirlpool carries deep into the river, everything that falls into its flow is tree branches and even quite large pieces of snow and ice.

According to the stories of frightened local residents, it even happened that the whirlpool sucked in various cargo floating along the river, and even the wreckage of sunken ships.

The whirlpool of the Daugava River has been frightening local residents and others for the last few years. Today it is considered one of the most amazing and incomprehensible phenomena.

The source of the Western Dvina River is located on the Valdai Hills in the Penovsky district of the Tver region at an altitude of 215 m, 2.1 km northwest of the village of Shcheverevo in the Penovsky district of the Tver region. The Anuchinsky stream flows from the southern part of the Koryakinsky swamp, which is the source of the Western Dvina.

After about five hundred meters it merges with the Koryakinsky stream, and after six hundred it flows into the small picturesque forest lake Koryakino (Dvinets), with an island in the middle. The Dvinets stream flows from its southeastern part. If you go downstream, then after four kilometers it will lead to the northern end of Lake Coverage (Aphoto). Having passed almost 10 kilometers through Okhvat, having absorbed the waters of the Netysma and Volkota rivers, the Western Dvina flows out of the lake already wide (10 - 15 meters).

In 2001, Penovo enthusiasts installed a log three-slope arch pavilion as a symbol of the fact that the Western Dvina carries its waters through the territory of three states - Russia, Belarus and Latvia. This is evidenced by three steps that lead along a wooden bridge, bordered by railings, to the pavilion.

Western Dvina (Belarus. Western Dzvina, in Latvia - Daugava, Latvian. Daugava, Latvian. Daugova, Liv. Vēna) is a river in the north of Eastern Europe, flowing through the territory of Russia, Belarus and Latvia. It is connected by the inactive Berezinskaya water system to the Dnieper River. Ancient names - Eridanus, Rudon, Bubo, Rubon, Sudon, Khesin.

The Western Dvina flows through Lake Okhvat, then flows first to the southwest, but after Vitebsk it turns to the northwest. The Western Dvina flows into the Gulf of Riga (Riga) of the Baltic Sea, forming an erosive delta near the former island of Mangalsala, which today is a peninsula, since the mouth of the second branch was filled in in 1567.

The length of the Western Dvina River is 1020 km: 325 km are in the Russian Federation, 328 in Belarus and 367 in Latvia. Basin 87,900 km², water flow 678 m³/s (at the mouth). The total fall of the river on the territory of Belarus is 38 m, the density of the river network is 0.45 km/km², and the lake content is 3%.

The river valley is trapezoidal in shape, deeply incised or featureless in places. The width of the valley in the upper reaches is up to 0.9 km, on average 1-1.5 km, in the lower reaches 5-6 km. The floodplain is predominantly two-sided. The channel is moderately winding, weakly branched, with rapids in places. Above Vitebsk, Devonian dolomites reach the surface and form rapids 12 km long.

The width of the Western Dvina River behind the lake Coverage is 15-20 meters, the banks are wooded, moderately steep sandy loam with boulders, low on the coastal plain. The bed is rocky, with individual rifts and small rapids.

On the Andreapol - Western Dvina section, the width of the river increases to 50 meters, and beyond the city of Western Dvina, having overcome another rapids section, the river receives large tributaries - Veles, Toropa and Mezha, after which it expands to 100 meters.

Behind the mouth of the Mezha there is a large trap intended for collecting timber rafted along the Mezha. Below the river, the river flows in high banks covered with mixed forest. The forest disappears in front of the city of Velizh. Beyond Velizh the river is navigable.

Between the Latgale and Augšzeme uplands, the Daugava flows through an ancient valley. Here the width of the Daugava reaches 200 meters. In the area from Kraslava to Daugavpils there is a natural park Daugavas loki (Bends of the Daugava). Passing Daugavpils, the Daugava reaches the East Latvian Lowland. Here the flow of the river slows down and the banks become low, because of this, during spring floods, ice jams often form in this area and water floods large areas.

From Jekabpils to Pļavinas the Daugava flows along steep banks with steep cliffs made of gray dolomite. The river valley from Pļaviņas to Ķegums was especially interesting and beautiful. There were many rapids and shallows in the riverbed. The shores were decorated with beautiful rocks Olinkalns, Avotinu-Kalns, Staburags. After the construction of the Plavinas hydroelectric power station, the water level increased by 40 m and the entire section of the ancient valley was flooded with the waters of the Plavinas reservoir.

From Jaunelgava to Ķegums the reservoir of the Ķegums hydroelectric power station extends, and at Salaspils the road to the river is blocked by the dam of the Riga hydroelectric power station.

Below Dole Island the river flows through the Primorskaya Lowland. Here its valley is formed by loose sediments of the Quaternary period. The river banks in this area are low, and the valley is filled with river sediments. Alluvial sand islands appear in the Riga area - Zakusala, Lucavsala, Kundzinsala, Kipsala, etc.

The width of the river at the Riga bridges is about 700 m, and in the Milgravis area it reaches 1.5 km. The depth of the river here is approximately 8-9 m. The average annual water flow is 678 m³/s. The concentration of a number of pollutants exceeds 10 MAC.

Observations of the hydrological regime on the territory of Belarus have been systematically carried out since 1878 (16 posts). In 1983, the hydrological posts Surazh, Vitebsk, Ulla, Polotsk, and Verkhnedvinsk were in operation.

High water, low water. In 2015, on June 30, Daugavpils (since 1876) and Jekabpils (since 1906) recorded the lowest river level for the entire period of observation in these cities.

At the mouth of the Western Dvina you can find “tears of Heliad” - amber.

Throughout history, the Western Dvina River had about 14 names: Dina, Vina, Tanair, Turun, Rodan, Dune, Eridan, Western Dvina and others. Thus, in the 15th century, Gilbert de Lannoa notes that the Semigallian tribes called the Dvina Samegalzara (Semigals-Ara, that is, Semigallian water). In ancient times, the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” passed along it.

The name “Dvina” was first mentioned by the monk-chronicler Nestor. At the beginning of his chronicle, he writes: “The Dnieper flowed from the Volkovsky forest and flowed at noon, and the Dvina from the same forest flowed at midnight and entered the Varangian Sea.”

According to V. A. Zhuchkevich, the hydronym Dvina is of Finnish origin with the semantic meaning “quiet, calm.”

The name “Daugava” was apparently formed from two ancient Baltic words, daug - “many, abundantly” and ava - “water”.
According to legend, Perkons ordered birds and animals to dig a river.

The settlement of the Western Dvina basin began in the Mesolithic era.

The main largest tributaries flowing into the Western Dvina are the following rivers: Volkota, Netesma, Velesa, Mezha, Kasplya, Ulla, Ushacha, Disna, Lautsesa, Ilukste, Kekavinya, Toropa, Luchosa, Obol, Polota, Drissa, Dubna, Aiviekste, Perse and Ogre .

The following cities are located on the banks of the Western Dvina River: Andreapol, Western Dvina, Velizh, Vitebsk, Beshenkovichi, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Disna, Verkhnedvinsk, Druya, Kraslava, Daugavpils, Livany, Jekabpils, Plavinas, Aizkraukle, Jaunelgava, Lielvarde, Kegums, Ogre, Ikskile, Salaspils and Riga.

Hydroelectric power station.
Thanks to the Western Dvina hydroelectric station, built under Soviet rule, it is the only large own source of energy for Latvia, giving the country up to 3 billion kWh per year.
The following hydroelectric power stations were built on the Western Dvina River:
- Plavinska HPP
- Riga HPP
- Kegums hydroelectric power station (built before Soviet rule - in 1939)
- The Polotsk and Vitebsk hydroelectric power stations are being built, agreements have been concluded on the construction of the Verkhnedvinskaya and Beshenkovichi hydroelectric power stations (all on the territory of Belarus). - - The construction of the Daugavpils hydroelectric power station was started, but suspended. The Jekabpils hydroelectric power station was designed. The river's unused potential exceeds 1 billion kWh per year.

Coordinates: 56°52′11″N 32°32′3″E

I usually don’t retype texts that aren’t my own, but I found an interesting description of the Western Dvina River, also known as the Daugava, flowing into the Baltic Sea near Riga, which is useful to have on hand - there are also links to historical studies of the river bed, some data about it width and depth in different places, something that is often necessary for conversation. And to “revive” the dry text, I added three dozen photographs of the river from different years and different places. There are photos that I took on film in the last century :-), there are also digital photos from recent years. And in the title of the post I wanted to put this romanticized painting by a local artist:

1.5. Description of the river from source to mouth

The first description of the Western Dvina - Daugava by sections was undertaken in the 18th century. In 1701, a description of the river from its source to the city of Polotsk was completed at the behest of Peter the Great by steward Maxim Tsyzarev. Later, projects were drawn up for local improvement of the river or for the establishment of a direct waterway between the Baltic, Caspian and Black Seas. In 1783-1785 engineer Trosson carried out surveys of the Western Dvina from the city of Surazh to the mouth of Luchosa (near Vitebsk), drew up plans of the river on a scale of 200 fathoms in 1 inch and a longitudinal profile. In 1809, General de Witte drew up a plan of the river from source to mouth on a scale of 100 fathoms in 1 inch, with depths indicated along the fairway. In 1812, Major General Ivashevich drew up plans for the rapids part of the Daugava for 140 miles. In 1826, engineer-captain Volkov carried out detailed surveys of the river over 140 miles from the source from Lake Okhvat. In 1827, engineer-captain Zagoskin studied the Daugava in the area from the city of Jekabpils to the island of Dole (above Riga). Among the data he received was a table showing the location of the rapids, the drop and the speed of the current on them. In 1857-1861. Surveys were carried out between Disna and Riga under the leadership of engineer Lieutenant Colonel Iovets.

Daugava embankment in Riga in 2006

From 1886 to 1888, the Daugava from Vitebsk to Mazumprava (above Riga) - a distance of 561 versts - was studied by the Western Dvina Party under the command of engineer N.F. Shelyuta. The purpose of the research was related to the project of connecting the Black and Baltic seas. The upper section of the river was studied to determine the feeding conditions of the river. Detailed plans of the river were drawn up on a scale of 50 fathoms by 0.01 fathoms, as well as a longitudinal profile of the river. These plans are the last filming of the Daugava over such a long distance. Only in certain areas near some cities, especially near Riga, more detailed surveys were later carried out.

Stone Bridge (Akmens Tilts) in Riga, 2008*

Let's follow the flow of the Western Dvina - Daugava from its source to its mouth.

The river begins among the forests and swamps of the Valdai Upland near the village of Koryakino. Near the source of the Western Dvina are the sources of the Volga (14 km) and the Dnieper (140 km), giving water to the Caspian and Black Seas. At the very upper reaches of the Western Dvina, a small stream passes through Lake Dvinets, located at an altitude of 220 m above the average level of the Baltic Sea. After less than 10 km, a river with a width of 5-6 m flows into the upper end of Lake Okhvat (length - 20 km, width - about 1.3 km, mirror area - 13.6 km2, drainage area - 586 km2). It should be noted that in terms of water content, the Western Dvina in this section is inferior to many other rivers flowing into Lake Okhvat, for example, Volkota (61 km), Netesma (36 km).

Since we don’t yet have photographs of the river outside Latvia, I will give a few photos from Riga. Cable-stayed bridge, 2007

Flowing from Lake Okhvat, the Western Dvina already has a width of up to 40 and a depth of 1-2 m. The channel is replete with islands. The banks are mostly wooded. Velocities at the source of the river are about 0.4-0.9 m/s. In spring, current speeds here are more significant, as water rushes out of the lake under greater pressure. Reach areas alternate with small rapids. At a distance of 2-3 km from Lake Okhvat there are the first rapids: Krasny Kamen and Medved, then the third rapid follows - Baran, then Ostrovki, etc. At the rapids, the river bottom is composed of limestone, which in some places is covered with a layer of sand; Sometimes blue clay is exposed at the bottom of the river. In these places, the river banks abound with numerous springs.

Panorama of Riga, 2006*

Some sections of the Western Dvina are winding, but the valley to the river. White is not wide. In spring, the water rises by 1.8-2.3 m. Near the mouth of the Verezhunitsa there are the Verezhunsky rapids, and the river bed in this place is so winding that it makes rafting impossible. Therefore, at one time a excavation was made here. Below the excavation, the Verezhunsky rapids stretch for 1.5 km; they consist of three braids separated by clear reaches. The width of the river at the rapids is 30-40 m. Below the Verezhunsky rapids, the depth is 0.5-1.8 m, the flow speed is 0.8-1.4 m/s (at the rapids the speed is about 2 m/s). Toward the mouth of the Velesa the banks become lower. Here the Western Dvina has a width of 35-40 m, and below the confluence of the Velesa it already reaches 55 m. Along with the width, the depth also increases, it reaches 1.8-2.2 m, and the flow speed is 0.7 m/s. The width of the river bed continues to gradually increase and in some places at the fords reaches 80 m.

Further, the river passes through two small lakes: Luka and Kalakutskoye, which are, in essence, river floods that do not disappear in the summer. The current here is insignificant, and many areas are overgrown with reeds. The shores are hilly, composed of moraine deposits with significant accumulations of boulders. In this area, a characteristic feature of the right bank of the Western Dvina is a large number of large and small lakes located directly next to the river and connected to it by small rivers and channels. Some lakes lie on the path of tributaries of the Western Dvina, for example, Toropa, with which more than 35 lakes communicate.

View in Riga from the Stone Bridge, 2008*

In the area of the mouth of the Luzhesyanka (above Vitebsk), dolomites appear in the riverbed, forming a series of rapids, the largest of which are Krestov, Yastreb, Medvedsk, Tyakova, Verkhovsk, Bervin, etc. The width of the river in this section is already approaching 100 m, the depth is predominantly 1 .2-2.0, at the rapids - 0.3-0.5 m.

Near Vitebsk and below, rapids and sandy shoals are even more common. Here the river flows through an ancient valley. From Vitebsk to the confluence of the Ulla, you can count 33 rapids. In this area, the width of the river valley is about 800 m, the slopes are steep with narrow strips of terraces. The highest current speeds - up to 1.2 m/s - are observed on the Vyazhitsa and Konek rapids. To improve navigation in rapid areas, buoys were built and dredging was carried out, resulting in depths that allowed maintaining a fairway for ships with a draft of 0.6 m.

The Daugava embankment in Riga near the Sun Stone building (Saules Akmens) in 2008*

Below the Vitebsk rapids, the Western Dvina valley expands to 1.5-1.8 km, and in the Beshenkovichi area, turning in a northwestern direction, the river enters the Polotsk lowland. Here, in the riverbed up to Polotsk, there are separate sandbanks; its width on average is 100-150 m, in some places - about 200, depth - mainly up to 3, in the shallows - 0.8-1.0 m.

Apart from some local dredging and other measures to improve timber rafting and navigation in the area of the Vitebsk rapids and the installation of groynes, we can say that the Western Dvina from its source generally retains its natural state.

Sunset over the Daugava in Riga, 2008*

In the section from Polotsk to Disna the river has no rapids. Below they appear again. The Disnyansky rapids have the following names: Nachsky, Blizne, Rozboynik, Nikolskaya Gol, Minvo and Dog Hole.

In the area from the mouth of Ulla to Daugavpils, the width of the river is on average 100-150 m, in some places - 200-300, the depth is mainly up to 3 m, in rapids areas - about 0.8 m. Above the village of Piedruja there are several islands in the river, and the width of the channel here it reaches 700 m. Below the confluence of the Druya, the channel of the Western Dvina again narrows to 100-150 m.

On the territory of Latvia, the river first flows between the Latgale and Augšzeme uplands, using an ancient valley that was once formed by glacier meltwater.

But starting from these places, the flow of the river can be illustrated with our photos!

The width of the valley is about 1 km. The river formed several terraces in it, especially well preserved on the concave side of the bends. The site is characterized by significant bank collapses with many springs, small tributaries and streams. There are several shallows and rapids in the channel, for example, the Indrica, Krovatka and Zaklidnya shallows and the long Kraslava rapids formed by boulders. They also have several sand islands. Below Kraslava there are rapids Dvorishte, Ostera, Kaplavas, Alshanskas.

Daugava in the Indritsa area, 2000

On the approach to Daugavpils, the river makes five bends, three large bends below the village of Jaunborne stand out especially. The largest rapids in this area are Krivets. Below Daugavpils, the Daugava flows through the East Latvian Lowland. The character of the river changes dramatically. The banks become flat and low, the floodplain, especially the left bank, expands. In some places in the valleys of the Ilukste and Dviete rivers it reaches a width of 5-6 km. The river bed is sandy. There are sandbanks and islands, for example, opposite the village of Vaikulany. Above the mouth of the Dviete, the Berezovka shoal formed, and below - the island of Glaudanu. These shoals usually cause ice jams to form, resulting in large areas of flooding. The next islands where ice jams often form are Molugols, below the villages of Nitsgale and Jersika, and Plonju, below the village of Dunava.

Further, the sandy bed and banks disappear and gray dolomites are exposed, forming rapids. In some places there are islands in the river. For example, between the cities of Livani and Jekabpils you can count 10 islands, the largest of which is Abelu. In the Jekabpils area there are several inhabited islands in the river, connected by bridges to the banks. Saka Island is approximately 6 km long and 3 km wide. There are about 60 farms on it. The main channel of the Daugava runs along the right side of this island, the left channel - the Saka - passes less than 1/5 of the water flow.

At Jekabpils an exclusively rapid section of the riverbed begins. The Zvanitai threshold is located directly within the city limits. Below the city along the island of Saka are the Pirkazhu rapids, which, occupying a stretch of more than 3 km, consist of individual rapids: Širinas, Guskas, Pečinyas, Greiza, Kanepaites, Ozolnicas, Udupa, Stirniņas. The section ends with the Razbainieku shoal.

Daugava in Stukmani, 2000

If the average drop from Daugavpils to Livana is only 5 cm/km, and near Jekabpils it increases to 25 cm/km, then in the three-kilometer rapids section near Jekabpils the drop reaches 2 m/km.

Water rushes violently down the dolomite steps at a speed of 1.5-2.0 m/s. At these thresholds, at the normal level of the reservoir of the Plavinska HPP, the retaining level becomes pinched out. The pinch-out boundary is located approximately 163.5 km from the mouth. At this level, the Razbainieku shoal and the Stirniņas and Udupa rapids are already backed up, and pinching occurs in the area of the Ozolnicas and Kanepaites rapids; at the same time, the upper part of the Pirkazhu rapids - the Greiza, Pecinyas, Guskas and Širinas rapids - remain outside the influence of backwaters.

Daugava in the Koknese region, 1999

From the rapids of Pirkazhu to the site of the Plavinska hydroelectric power station, at a distance of 56.5 km, the drop of the river in its natural state reached 40 m, on average 0.7 m/km. Such a large drop is due to the geological structure of the riverbed.

Daugava near Selpils, 2000

In order to cross the Seli swell, the Daugava to the Staburags rock had to pass through the ancient valley of the waters of the East Latvian Lowland basin, which flowed into Lake Lielupe basin. Here the river cut deeply into the ancient valley. The shores, formed by dolomite rocks, rise to a height of up to 30 m.

This section was one of the most beautiful on the river. Beautiful views opened up from the cliffs of Olinkalns and Avotinkalns, from the ruins of Selpils, Altene and Koknese castles. The Liepavots spring, the Staburags and Krauklja rocks, the Krustalitsis bend, etc. were covered in historical memory and legends. The high banks were cut by deep erosional ravines, which formed impressive canyons and beautiful waterfalls on the tributaries (Perse River). In this area, the Daugava has several terraces, on the carbonate soils of which many interesting and rare plants grew.

Daugava in Altena, 2000

The width of the river in the area now occupied by the Plavina Reservoir ranged from 135-280 m, the depth at the rapids reached about 1, between them - 3-6 m; The current speeds on the rapids were 1.0-2.0, on the reaches, especially in the lower section, about 0.2-0.5 m/s.

Before the reservoir of the Plavinska HPP was filled, there were a number of rapids in the riverbed, mainly in the upper part. The famous rapids were below the railway bridge, on the Jelgava - Krustpils road, where above the mouth of the river. Aiviekste began the 2.5-kilometer rapids section of Priedulais with a total drop of 5 m and with individual particularly fast sections, well mastered by raftsmen. They also gave names to the rapids. Priedulais consisted of rapids Lielgailu - Oli, Chuchia, rapids Greiza, Sten, Kukainiu - Oli, Latsis, Zala.

Directly below the mouth of Aiviekste in the Daugava channel, in a small area, a huge pool up to 8 m deep, the so-called Pagars, formed. Behind it, the depth of the river sharply decreased, and opposite the town of Plavinas there was one of the most grandiose rapids - the Roughe step rapids, or Plavinas Rumba with the Velna (Devil's) whirlpool and the Naras (Mermaid) rock.

Beyond Plavinyas began the rapids section of Bebruleya with separate rapids: Brodnya, Pechinya, Vilka, Dambis, Street. The Bebruleya section was followed by separate rapids and rapids: Vedzere, Sobachinya, Olinkrats, Aldiņu narrows, Kapu shoal. In this section, the drop was 10 m. Further, downstream, large rapids were Stuchkas-Grube, Lazdas-Galva, below the Staburags rock - Augshas-Puslis and Leyas-Puslis, the Aizelkshnu rapids, at the mouth of the river. Perse - the Perseus and Zvirbulya rapids, even lower - Radalka.

Daugava in Lielvārde, 2008

This is what the river looked like before the construction of the Plavinas hydroelectric power station. Now, from the Pirkazhu rapids to the hydroelectric dam, the ancient valley is filled with the waters of a reservoir with a calm surface, the normal level of which is 72 m above sea level. The high rocky shores have disappeared.

The place where the Perse River flows into the Daugava near Koknese, 2005

The depth has increased sharply: at Pļaviņas it is now about 10 m, near the Olinkalns cliff, which has now turned into a small island - about 20, at the Staburags rock, almost flooded - about 30, at the ruins of Koknese castle - almost 38 and at the hydroelectric dam - 42 m.

View of the ruins of Koknese Castle, 2008

Downstream, the width of the reservoir gradually increases. The Daugava in this area had high banks (up to 30 m), so flooding of large areas did not occur. The width of the reservoir varies in the upper reaches within 300-500 m, in the middle section - 400-800 m, in the lower reaches - about 1 km and only directly above the hydroelectric dam reaches 2 km.

River bank in Lielvārde, 2001

The depth and width of the reservoir varies somewhat over time due to the drawdown of the reservoir. Under intense conditions of power generation, the discharge occurs up to the mark of 70 m, i.e. 2 m. In such cases, in the area where the reservoir level pinches out, all the rapids of the Pirkazhu rapids come out of the backwater, and the fall along Saka Island becomes natural.

In the spring, before the ice drift, in order to prevent flooding of the town of Plavinas, it is necessary to carry out pre-flood drainage of the reservoir to the level of 67 m. Of course, in such cases, the depth of the reservoir decreases by 5 m, in some places its width decreases somewhat, and in the area where the reservoir level pinches out, the Priedulais rapids are exposed.

Below the Plavinas hydroelectric power station there is the next reservoir of the Daugava cascade - Kegumskoe (length - 42 km). Before the formation of the reservoir in this area, the river bed was constrained by relatively high dolomite banks, especially in the lower part. In the upper part, individual small rapids alternated with stretch areas. Here, above the town of Jaunelhava near the ruins of the Aizkraukle castle, there was the Chuibinyas rapids, above the village of Jumprava - the Winkelmanu rapids and below - the Kazhumates rapids.

Daugava near Aizkraukle Castle, 1999

The main decline was concentrated on the Kegums rapids, on which the hydroelectric power station was built. There were several large islands in this area. One of them, Ozolu, below Jaunelgava, survived even after the reservoir was filled. But the once inhabited islands of Lielvardes and Rembates, 5 km above the dam, are located several meters under water. A new island was formed near Jumprava.

Daugava beyond Jaunelgava, 2008

Due to the high banks and the fact that the level at the Kegums hydroelectric power station dam was raised only by 16 m, a large lake did not form. Water has filled the valley cut into the dolomite, and the width of the reservoir, especially in its upper part, is only slightly greater than the natural width of the river. Thus, in the Jaunelgava - Jumprava section, the width of the reservoir is 250-450 m, below Jumprava it increases to 700-900 and near the dam it reaches 1500 m. The depth gradually increases from 8 m at Jaunelgava to 17 m at the dam.

Daugava in Ikskile, 1999

Below the hydroelectric station, the Daugava continues its path along the Central Latvian slope. The river bed here also cuts into dolomites, but the banks are much lower than in the previous section.

Before the reservoir of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station was filled, there were sections of rapids in the river even lower, for example the Ogres and Slankaines rapids near the town of Ogre; Berkavas rapids near the village of Ikshkile; Aidukrace, Vedmeru-Kauls and Gluma-Kratse, or Reznas-Kauls, above the island of Dole.

The bed of the Daugava near the village of Ikskile during the release of water at the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station, 2008

The island of Dole divided the Daugava into two branches: Galvena - and Sausa-Daugava (left branch). The largest rapids in the Galvena-Daugava branch were Martyņa-Kauls, Livirgas, Lidakas-Kauls, Pendera-Kauls, Rumba, Nozums, Akyu-Kauls, in the Sausa-Daugava branch - Damba-Krane, Berzamentes-Kauls, Impes-Kauls, Kines- Kauls, Sterkelyu-Kauls, Kishu-Kauls, Doles-Augshkauls and Doles-Lejaskauls.

In the section of the river below the Kegums hydroelectric power station there were several inhabited islands: Ogres, Ikskiles, Macitaja, Dole, Martinya, Andreja, etc. The largest of them is Dole Island (length - 8.5, width - 2.4 km).

Dole Island and medieval settlements and castles in the near course of the Daugava. Photo from the Daugava Museum on the island. Dole, 2000

Before the flooding, in the area from the Kegums hydroelectric power station to the lower tip of Dole Island, the width of the river was already significantly greater than in the overlying area. On average it was approximately 400, and at the upper end of Dole Island it reached 700 m or more. The depth at the rapids was less than 1 m, and between them - 3 m or more. The fall along Dole Island exceeded 1 m/km.

Despite the fact that the dam of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station increased the water level of its reservoir (length - 34 km) by approximately the same amount (16 m) as the dam of the Kegums Hydroelectric Power Station, the surface area of the reservoir of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station is 42.2 km2, i.e. 17.3 km2 is larger than the Kegums hydroelectric power station (length - 41 km). Already a few kilometers below the Kegums hydroelectric power station, near the mouth of the river. Lachupe, the width of the reservoir exceeds 2 km, then narrows in the area of the town of Ogre to 0.5, but lower, near the village of Ikskile, in some places it reaches 2.5 km. Above Dole Island the reservoir is about 1 km wide, and above the dam the flooded upper part of Dole Island is about 4 km wide.

Dam of the island of St. Maynard in Ikskile, 2008

Since quite large areas of the banks were flooded, the depth of the reservoir is not the same. Along the former fairway of the river, it ranges from a few meters at the downstream of the Kegums hydroelectric power station to 17 m at the dam of the Riga hydroelectric power station. In those places where the width of the reservoir is large, the depth on the flooded floodplain and terraces is in some places insignificant.

Along the banks of the reservoir, quite large areas are protected from flooding by dams (the areas of Ogre, Ikskile, directly above the dam, etc.). If we compare all the reservoirs of the Daugava cascade by average width (the quotient of dividing the surface area by the length of the reservoir), it turns out that the Kegums and Plavins reservoirs have almost the same width - 607 and 612 m, respectively, and the reservoir of the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station is twice as large - 1241 m. Dam The Riga hydroelectric power station crosses Dole Island in the middle; below the Galvena and Sausa Daugava branches remained untouched.

View from Ikskile towards Salaspils at the moment of the release of the river waters at the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station, 2008

Below the island of Dole, the last section of the Daugava begins - the port of Riga. Here, on the coastal slopes, Devonian deposits - dolomites - are no longer found. The river flows through a sandy coastal lowland and is bounded by granite embankments.

Lead waters of the Daugava... View of the Port of Riga from under the Cable-stayed Bridge in 2007*

Before the construction of the port of Riga, when the banks were not strengthened, the channel changed its position several times. Old sections of the channel and branch have been preserved in some places. Back in 1967, when a powerful ice jam formed near the village of Salaspils, the waters of the river flowed along the old branch, which began between the islands of Martinu and Andreya, into Lake Jugla.

Martinsala Island is now here, under the waters of the Daugava, photo from 2008*

Now the small river Pikyurga flows into Lake Jugla along this old channel. Some of these old branches form islands in the area of the port of Riga, for example, Zvirgzdu, Libiesu, Zaku, Lucavas, Kipsala, Kundzinsala, etc.

The island of Zakusala and the branches of the Daugava, 2006*

Remains of the old branches are preserved in Riga in the Pardaugava area near Arcadia Park, and on the right bank in the area of the former hippodrome, as well as in the lower reaches (Vecdaugava), where a large fishing port was built.

View from the television tower on the island. Zaku towards the Old Town of Riga, 2006*

At the Kvadrat plant the river becomes wider and deeper. The width in the area up to the Riga bridges is about 600 m, below, near the cement plant, it decreases to 450, and even lower, near the Daugavgriva, it increases again to 700 m. The depth to the bridge area is about 6-7, and below, before it flows into the sea , - up to 12-15 m.

Some photos of Riga bridges:

Daugava near the Island Bridge, 2008*

Fragments of the Zheleznodorozhny and Kamenny bridges, 2008*

Cable-stayed bridge, 2005*

Information about the depths and difficult places for navigation on the Daugava is given in the research materials of 1886-1888. West Dvina inventory party under the command of engineer N.F. Shelyuta. They note that the upper and middle sections of the river are most suitable for navigation, but even here there are many obstacles to navigation. For the first 150 versts, shoals and sandbanks serve as obstacles to navigation, then rocks begin, of which there are especially many near the village of Krest. Near the village of Sekach, a stone ridge blocks almost the entire river; near the village of Rubi, 20 versts above Vitebsk, there are also many obstacles to navigation. From Vitebsk to the mouth of Ulla there are many shoals and stones; near the town of Disna there are rapids; near the town of Kraslavki (Kraslava) there are rapids, below there are shallows. Between Livenhof (Plavinas) and Jakobstadt (Jekabpils) - 16 rapids and 5 fences; from Friedrichstadt (Jaunelhava) to the island of Dalena (Dole) there are 9 rapids, near the island of Dalena there is the Bolvanets rapid. The 8 rapids of Kokenhusen (Koknese) are considered the largest; the drop on them reaches 1.35 fathoms per mile.

Steamboats on winter lay-up in the Gulf of Agenskalns, 2005*

A complete list of obstacles to navigation on the Daugava is given in Appendix 1.

In the party materials, the general picture of the river’s longitudinal profile is presented as follows. From Vitebsk to Polotsk, over 145 versts along the highway, the longitudinal profile is a smooth straight line with small fractures, of which the largest is located below Beshenkovichi. The average slope of this entire section, related to the highway, is 0.00011, while the highest local slope of 5 versts below Beshenkovichi is 0.00018. Between the 145th and 180th versts the slopes are very insignificant: on average 0.000049; between the 180th and 185th versts (near the town of Disna) there is a rapids place - the Disnyanskie rapids with slopes from 0.0003 to 0.0006. From Disna to the city of Druya, for about 60 versts, there is a smooth surface line of water with a slope of 0.00005-0.00006.

From Druya to the village of Stary Zamok (245-315th verst), the surface profile of the river is a very uneven line with a fall of 539 fathoms throughout this 70-verst section, and the slopes vary from 0.00045 (Krivets threshold) to 0.00003. From the 315th to the 399th verst, the longitudinal profile looks like a very smooth line with slopes of 0.00002-0.00004 and not higher than 0.00007. From the 399th verst to the mouth there is again a rapids section with slopes:

rapids Dubok and Klavki - 0.0004-0.00055; threshold Glinovets - 0.00156; rapids Skovoroda, Kosaya Golovka, Pechina and Mozolovy - 0.00166-0.0011; rapids Green Ruba and Tikhaya Ruba - 0.0022; Brodish threshold - 0.003; threshold Thinking - 0.0015; threshold Gusar - 0.00128; Keggum threshold - 0.00212; rapids Booblet and Skull - 0.00123. In other rapids the slopes are smaller and are usually 0.0004-0.0006.

It should be noted that since the 19th century. Toponymy underwent rather dramatic changes, the names of rapids, shoals, fences, as well as settlements along the river changed; This especially applies to the territory of Latvia. Some objects, mainly in the names of populated places, have disappeared, while many have reappeared. For example, according to N.F. Shelyuta, on the rapids section between Yakobstadt and the village of Adminan (419-424th versts) the rapids were named in turn: Vorozhya, Koleno, Gusak, Frying Pan; on the same section the fences had the following names: Oblique Head , Pechiny, Bekova Tin, Mozolova, Belyan and individual Vorobyi stones. Currently, the rapids area between the town of Jekabpils and the Admineni farm has the general name Pirkazhu rapids, which consist of rapids Šariņas, Guskas, Pečinyas, Greiza, Kanepaites, Ozolnicas, Udupa, Stirniņas and the Razbainieku shoal. As you can see, only the names of the rapids Guskas and Pecinyas have been preserved from the previous names in a slightly modified form, the rest are called differently.

The same thing with the rapids between 433 and 434 versts. Previously, they were called Popuski, Pike Head, Blednivets, Bear's Head, Green Ruba. Now this section has the common name of the Priedulais rapids. Some rapids are called Lielgailiu-Oli, Greiza, Siena, Kukainiu-Oli, Latsis, Zala. The Pike Head is called Chuchia, the Bear Head is Latsis, and the Green Ruba is Zala.

Similar changes are found in the names of other thresholds. In Fig. Figure 1.10 shows the longitudinal profile of the Western Dvina - Daugava in its current state, i.e., taking into account the constructed cascade of hydroelectric power stations. Appendix 2 provides a list of all tributaries of the Daugava and a description of the main ones.

Description of the Western Dvina River from source to mouth\\Western Dvina-Daugava. River and time. L.S. Anosova and others; under general ed. V.F.Loginov, G.Ya.Segal. - Minsk: Belarus. science, 2006. - 270 p.