Celebration of the 75 anniversary of the White Sea-Baltic channel. Medvezhiegorsk, August 2, 2008
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petrozavodsk.rfn.ru. 75 years turned since the White Sea-Baltic channel was put into operation.
Many people know the tragical history of building the White Sea-Baltic channel. The channel has been constructed in the shortest terms, in a year and nine months, by hands of hundreds thousand prisoners of GULAG of People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union. Today it is the major waterway from Onego lake to the White Sea. It includes 19 sluices, 15 dikes, 51 dams and other hydraulic engineering constructions. On the channel such towns as Segezha, Belomorsk, Medvezhiegorsk are built.
According to the head of the White Sea-Onego state basin directorate of waterways and navigation Valery Volkov, the republic is developing due to the channel:
- On constructions of the channel there operated the cascade of five HYDROELECTRIC POWER STATIONS which generate energy for the republic. The channel has enabled to master forest resources, natural resources. The created water basin means stocks of fish resources, etc.
In honour of round date a celebration has been organized in the Palace of Culture of Medvezhiegorsk. In solemn atmosphere diplomas of honour and medals were awarded to workers of the White Sea-Baltic channel.
With loud applause the audience greeted musical, theatrical and dancing performances of Petrozavodsk actors.
Perhaps, 75 years is just the beginning just of history. To help with realization of new achievements was desided at the Russian level. Recently for reconstruction of the channel the federal budget allocated eight billion roubles, which means the channel will keep working for the benefit of the people.
Anastasia Kapustina, Vesti-Karelia
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