Water resources of Russia

Comparative statistics of the level of precipitation in our country and in the world as a whole shows that we have rains and snow much less often and their intensity is lower than in many other regions of the globe. Nevertheless, despite this, the water resources of Russia in terms of their volume are at one of the first places in the world. This is due, first of all, to the fact that our country occupies a huge territory, the area of which is not less than fifteen percent of the entire surface of the earth on the planet. Water resources of Russia are, first of all, numerous rivers crossing the territory of the country, as well as underground waters, no less numerous lakes and glaciers.

Distribution of precipitation by climatic zones

Our country includes several climatic zones, in which the amount of precipitation falling yearly can be very different. Areas with excessive moisture are mostly located in the north. There, the level of precipitation reaches 700 mm per year, which greatly exceeds the natural volume of evaporation of moisture from the surface. Many of these areas need drainage procedures. Areas with sufficient moisture are in balance between the amount of precipitating and evaporating precipitation. This is approximately 500-600 mm throughout the year. Such areas are usually occupied by forests and steppes.

Areas with unstable moisture, on the other hand, receive too little rain to compensate for the high level of moisture evaporation from the soil. Basically it is the southern regions of the country. The level of precipitation here ranges from 300 to 500 mm per year. At the same time, zones of unstable hydration in our country are much better settled and mastered than others. Unfortunately, most of the territories suitable for agriculture are located in such zones. Therefore, they require additional irrigation.

Surface water resources of Russia

In our country, rivers have historically always played a huge role. In the past, it was from their location that the settling of people and trade depended to a large extent. All over Russia covers a wide network of rivers, of which about 120 thousand have a length of more than ten kilometers. In the territory of many of them, three-dimensional artificial reservoirs were created, some of which occupy larger areas than large lakes.

Marshes are just as important an element, without which Russia's water resources will be significantly impoverished. They are located in areas with excessive moisture and permafrost, where they can occupy up to half of the entire territory (Western Siberia). Marsh zones are a kind of natural moisture accumulator. In addition, they play a huge role in hydrological regulation of territories and stabilization of the climate, and are also the main source of peat. Many of the large bogs are currently protected.

Another important element that makes up part of the water resources of our country is the lake. Over the whole territory of Russia they are scattered more than 2 million. The role of lakes can not be overestimated, since they contain more than half of all the fresh water that we have available. The largest of the lakes is Baikal: it contains 95 percent of all lake water. Then follow Onega, Ladoga Lake, Ilmen and Taimyr.

A quarter of all fresh water reserves in the country are glaciers.

Underground waters of Russia

But water resources are located not only on the surface. There are other sources of water, among which an important role is played by those under the earth. This is the unique natural wealth of Russia, well protected from pollution due to its location. Among the underground waters there are also curative mineral springs formed as a result of excess of a number of compounds and mineral salts in them. In total, more than 300 of them are known on the territory of our country. Most of them are located in the European part.

In addition, the territory of our country is washed by the waters of 12 seas. Among them, the Barents and Japan are of the greatest commercial importance. Others are widely used as recreational zones and for international navigation. The shelf of the Atlantic seas contains potential oil and gas fields.