The history of artificial waterways of the Northern Dvina basin

Abstract

The article seeks to describe waterways of  the Northern Dvina basin in relation to the neighbouring rivers (Volga, Sheksna), which connect The Baltic Sea, White sea, Caspian Sea, Azov Sea and Black Sea. The history of waterways development is discusses in regard to the development of cities and settlements since the 12th century to the present times. Before the channel sluices were built, water transport had been constrained by the so called voloki, meaning shoals on watersheds where boats were moved with the use of draft animals or human muscles. During the reign of Peter I, i.e. in the years 1703-1709, the first system of sluices was developed, which connected the Volga and the Neva. Consequently, other sluices were built, extending the artificial waterways of the Northern Dvina basin by means of connecting it to the neighbouring channels. At the end of the 19th century, due to introduction of a new type of ships, waterways had to be modernized to account for larger vesels.Thus, at the beginning of  the 20th century, changes were made in the size and construction of  sluices, replacing wooden structures with concrete ones and, in the 80s’, replacing wooden gates with metal ones. Further works, such as dredging and sluices improvement, were conducted in the Soviet Russia. The history of waterways use presented herein shows the interaction between the human economy and the environment.