Ob River Dam and Reservoir

The hydroelectric dam across the Ob River south of Novosibirsk created a vast reservoir locally nicknamed the Ob Sea, a defining feature of the region's geography and recreation. Completed in the 1950s, the dam supplies power and forms a long stretch of water fringed by beaches, pine forest and holiday settlements. In summer the shoreline draws swimmers, sailors and picnickers, while the reservoir freezes for winter sports. Nearby exposures of ancient rock have yielded fossils, and it offers an easy escape from the city.