Chirkeysk reservoir in Dagestan

The Chirkeysk reservoir is the largest water basin in Dagestan. It appeared after the construction of the Chirkeysk HPP on the Sulak River in 1970. Locals come here for recreation and fishing. Tourists usually make only a short stop on the shore of the reservoir on the way to the Sulak Canyon. 

The Chirkeysk reservoir is located among rocky sandstone hills. The shoreline of the reservoir is very rugged, in some places high rocky shores sink into the water. The area of the reservoir is 42 square kilometers.  

Before the construction of the hydroelectric power station, there were forests and orchards on these lands, but now the shores of the reservoir look absolutely deserted.  This is due to the fact that during the construction of the hydroelectric power station, many temporary houses were built here for workers, and the heating was not supplied there. People had to heat their homes with firewood, that is why all the surrounding forests were cut down, and the rocky soil quickly eroded.

There are places on the Chirkeysk reservoir where you can approach the water. There are even beaches near the village of Chirkey and on the western shore. These beaches are not equipped for swimming. In the village of Chirkey there are many guest houses that are rented to people who want to relax on the shore of the reservoir. 

The presence of a beach and a gentle descent to the water is very important, since the shores of the Chirkey reservoir are covered with large stones. The maximum depth of the reservoir reaches 270 meters. The water does not always have time to warm up, because it is fed by the mountain river Sulak. However, according to local residents, on hot summer days, the water of the Chirkey reservoir is ideal for swimming.

People who come to the shore of the Chirkey reservoir with tents for a few days, on the contrary, prefer to stay on the rocky shores rather than on the beaches. They says that the water there is cleaner and less clay. These tourists just spend time in nature, fry kebabs near cool water and fish.  

There are a lot of fish in the Cherkeysk reservoir. Local people are constantly trying to breed trout here, but there are still not many trout in the reservoir. Locals say that giant catfish are found in the Chirkeysk reservoir.  

If you are going to the Sulak Canyon from Makhachkala, it is best to go from the side of Buinaksk. This way the route will be optimal. First, make a stop at the Chirkeysk reservoir. The observation deck is located on a high bank. If you have time, you can walk along the shore towards the village of Chirkey.  

The coastline in this place is very rugged. 2.5 kilometers away there is an island connected to the ground by a dam. On this island, one of the residents of the village of Chirkey planted a large orchard. After the observation deck on the reservoir, you can consistently visit the observation decks on the Sulak Canyon: near the HPP, in the village of Dubki and then go to the trout farm of Glavryba.