The Astrakhan region is called the Caspian capital, the fish region and the center of water tourism in our country. This is because the lower course of the Volga passes through its entire territory, which, breaking up into many branches and channels, forms its famous delta here. The total number of watercourses in this river network is about 900 units. The Volga Delta is a unique natural complex; there is a reserve of international importance here.
On the territory of the Astrakhan region, the Volga does not receive a single tributary, but is divided into branches and eriks. The largest sleeves are Akhtuba, Buzan, Bakhtemir, Kamyzyak, Bolda, Staraya Volga and Kigach. The Buzan river system carries up to half of the watercourse of the entire network to the Caspian Sea, and Bakhtemir is considered a direct continuation of the Volga channel. This is the only fully navigable arm, along which ships rise to the ports of Olya and Astrakhan.
The longest rivers in the Astrakhan region
List of the largest rivers flowing through the territory of the region.
Volga
The main river of Russia is the most important waterway of the Astrakhan region. In fact, all the other rivers of the region are its branches and numerous river channels. On the territory of the region, the Volga does not receive a single tributary and flows into the Caspian Sea, forming one of the most extensive deltas in the world. Its area is 11,000 km². Astrakhan is located on the Volga, a little higher than the delta.
The length of the river is 3530 km, in the Astrakhan region - more than 400 km.
Akhtuba
The left arm of the Volga is separated from it in the satellite city of Volgograd, Volzhsky. It flows along the Volga, the territory between the two rivers is called the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. There are many protected areas, flood meadows, farmland. The width of the river is from 50 to 300 meters. On Akhtuba there are the cities of Akhtubinsk, Znamensk, Kharabali, more than a dozen villages. In the vicinity of the village, Krasny Yar flows into Buzan.
The length of the river is 537 km, in the Astrakhan region - 380 km.
Bakhtemir
The only navigable arm of the Volga is located in the delta, branching off from it 18 km below Astrakhan. It is the main continuation of the Volga riverbed. It connects with the Caspian Sea by the Volga-Caspian canal, which makes it possible for ships to pass through the shallow area of the seaside. There is a village of the same name on the river, there are tourist centers. The channel width is on average 500 meters, in some places over a kilometer.
The length of the river is 125 km.
Buzan
A large arm of the Volga, originates near the city of Narimanov, 45 km north of Astrakhan. Downstream, near the village of Krasny Yar, it takes in Akhtuba. The river is popular among fans of fishing and outdoor activities; it is famous for catfish and carp. The shores are gentle, with many beaches and shallows. It flows through the boggy lowland of the Volga delta, before it flows into the Caspian Sea, it splits into 7 channels.
The length of the river is 102 km.
Bolda
The Volga arm is one of the main waterways of the delta river network. It originates on the outskirts of the city of Astrakhan, separating from the Volga through the islands of Boldinsky and Oblivnaya. In the area of the village Tuzukley it is divided into three channels: Tuzukley, Boldushka and Trekhizbenka, which flow into the Caspian Sea. About 14 km of the total length are considered navigable.
The length of the river is 74 km.
Enotaevka
A large channel connecting the Volozhka channel and the Volga. On the river there is a village of the same name - the administrative center of the Enotaevsky district. It flows through a flat territory in the central part of the Astrakhan region. It is deep enough, it is suitable for fishing all year round, it is used to supply water to several villages. It flows into the Volga 188 km from its mouth.
The length of the river is 70 km.
Old Volga
This river was previously considered the main channel of the Volga. Now it is one of the main sleeves, which has kept its name in memory of the past. Located in the western part of the delta. It is separated from the Volga in the vicinity of the Volgo-Caspian village. There are several tourist centers for fishing enthusiasts on the river. The channel is not deep; before it flows into the sea, it is divided into many shallow channels.
The length of the river is 68 km.
Kamyzyak
A large arm of the Volga, the source is located slightly south of the city of Astrakhan. Formed by the confluence of the Kizani, flowing from the Volga, and the eriks Chagan and Mansur. Divided into two parts. From the source to the city of Kamyzyak is called Kizan. It feeds the central part of the delta. It flows along the plain, in gentle banks, has a width of 200 to 500 meters. In the past, it was planned to organize navigation on the river, but now the number of waterways includes only 55 km of the entire length.
The length of the river is 67 km.
Kigach
The Akhtuba branch flows through the territory of the Astrakhan region and Kazakhstan. In Russia, it is important, first of all, for fishing. In Kazakhstan, it is the main source of water supply for the Mangistau region. It flows into one of the Volga channels. There is only one road bridge across the river, on the Astrakhan - Atyrau highway. The banks are gentle, the width is from 100 to 400 meters.
The length of the river is 65 km.
Ashuluk (lower channel of Akhtuba)
Branch of the Akhtuba River. The source is located 5 km from the village of Selitrennoe, Kharabalinsky district. Ashuluk flows almost parallel to Akhtuba, making a fork into two branches near the village of Khosheutovo. 3 km from the mouth, Bolshoi and Maly Ashuluk are connected to return their waters to Akhtuba. The confluence is located near the village of Lapas.
The length of the river is 55 km.
Tsarev
One of the many Volga canals, it is well known due to its rather large size, as well as its location in the capital of the region. Within the city of Astrakhan, the source of the erik is located directly, it originates from the Volga, and later joins with another channel. At the confluence, a new channel begins - Chernaya. On Tsarevo there are the villages of Osypnaya Bugor and Funtovo.
The length of the river is 49 km.
Ashuluk (middle channel of Akhtuba)
One of the large branches of Akhtuba is separated from it along the left bank. It flows near the villages and settlements of Bugor, Kochkovatka, Sasykoli, Tambovka. The largest settlement on the river is the city of Kharabali. In these places, fishermen celebrate good fishing both on the Akhtuba itself and on its channel. Between them there are many small eriks and lakes, also inhabited by fish. Ashuluk flows into Akhtuba 127 km from its mouth.
The length of the river is 47 km.
Belinsky Bank
A small river in the Volodarsky district of the Astrakhan region. It originates from the Shaga-Bushma channel. The villages of Makovo and Zelenga are located on the river; several tourist bases for fishing enthusiasts have also been built. Belinsky Bank flows into the Caspian Sea and is located in the central part of the Volga delta.
The length of the river is 34 km.
Khurdun
One of the many river channels in the Volga delta. The source is located on the territory of the village of Ikryanoe, here the erik is separated from the Bakhtemir River. Also on the banks of the Khurdun is the village of Borkino. Unlike most watercourses in the delta, it flows not into the Caspian, but into the lake, the Big Karabulak ilmen. This is one of the largest lakes in the local water system.
The length of the river is 26 km.
Kutum
This river is well known to all Astrakhan people, since it originates within the city and flows through its entire territory. Several bridges have been built across Kutum in Astrakhan. The place where the river separates from the Volga is at the beginning of the main city embankment. The river is inextricably linked with the history of Astrakhan, from the time of the construction of the ancient Kremlin to the present day. The mouth of the Kutum is already outside the city, it flows into the Bolda River.
The length of the river is 26 km.
