Atomic lake Chagan: the unfulfilled dream of the Soviet Union

In the 60-ies of the last century, at the height of the cold war between the USSR and the USA both countries competed not only in the space sector. As you know this race ended up being the Americans . Both countries were active in tests of atomic weapons. Not only for military purposes. In the USSR there was the so-called program "Nuclear explosions for the national economy" in which Soviet scientists considered the possibility of using nuclear bombs to solve industrial and other non-military tasks.

The Idea of using the energy of nuclear explosion for the solution of non-military tasks such as the installation of water channels, mining, and other peaceful purposes, the Soviet leadership can say "assembled" from the West. In 1957, the U.S. was running the so-called Operation plusher or as it was called in the Union of "Operation Ploughshare". Within it Americans made 27 peaceful nuclear explosions. In 1973, the program was recognized as hopeless and closed. A similar program was carried out until 1988 in the territory of Yakutia, Kemerovo, Uzbek SSR, and other areas. It has conducted a total of 124 peaceful nuclear explosion.

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How to create atomic lake Chagan

The Program began with a project to create an artificial lake Chagan in the Semipalatinsk region in Kazakhstan. Subsequently it was called Atomic lake. As planned by scientists, created by a nuclear explosion funnel can be used to create artificial reservoir. At a high temperature of explosion the funnel and the bottom would have to be melted. Thus the water in the lake, for example, as a result of spring floods could to stay there. Such reservoirs planned to place in the arid Kazakh steppes at least forty. Scientists are supposed to use them to solve the issues of summer drought, and also as places for watering farm animals. But the arrogance of scientists in the end letting them down.

The First production blast took place in the USSR on 15 January 1965 in a small river Chagan, which is a tributary of the Irtysh. For this scientists have created a well at a depth of about 178 meters and laid in it a nuclear warhead with a capacity of 140 kilotons. The power of the explosion was so great that in the air to a height of over 950 metres, were raised 10.3 million tons of soil.

On the site of the explosion crater with a depth of 100 and a diameter of 430 metres. Tons of rocks were scattered in a radius of several tens of kilometers.

a Satellite image of lake Chagan (round crater)

In the Spring of that year work began on the dug channels for the descent into the funnel flood water from the river Chagan. was carried out very quickly. Scientists wanted to make it before the spring floods. But in the end, when all engineering work has been completed on the territory of Kazakhstan there was an artificial pond with a total volume of about 20 million cubic meters.

Soviet specialists understood that meltwater can carry out in the Irtysh settled radioactive dust from around the region, so to prevent these impacts on the lake has also constructed a protective platinum. As indicated by various sources, in the area of the explosion worked from 180 to 300 people. All subsequently due to high doses of radiation developed chronic disease.

the Lake trying to settle animals

In the USSR was initially proud of this project. Made a film about the achievements of Soviet peaceful nuclear program. And Yes, even in the lake swimming. The first heat was made the Minister of machine building of the USSR.

In the late 60-ies near the lake built a biological station, which conducted a series of experiments to study the effects of residual radiation on living organisms. In lake Chagan was launched more than three dozen different species of fish, more than two dozen species of mollusks, mammals and about 150 species of plants.

It is Noted that up to 90 percent of all these organisms perished. But not because of radiation but because of uncharacteristic for them to habitats. But for the remaining 10 percent of the animals that could survive in these conditions, radiation is very effective. Many species have mutated and transferred genes of these mutations to future generations. In particular, some species of fish and other aquatic inhabitants increased in size. In the mid 70-ies research station was closed.

is it Dangerous lake Chagan today?

Of Course. Lake Chagan is listed by the government of Kazakhstan in the list of areas particularly affected by nuclear testing. The lake is still home to some species of fish, but eating them is not recommended. The water contained in the lake is not potable and irrigation of agricultural land. The level of the contained radioactive substances hundreds of times higher than permissible limits. However, this does not stop some local residents who lead to the watering livestock.

Despite the radiation hazard, nuclear Chaganskoe the lake today, and is a place that attracts tourists from all over the world.

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