top of page

Zvezdny Klyuch

Spring "Dyzvezdny klyuch" (also known as Zvezdny) is a water monument of nature, located on the right bank of the Tugoyakovka river, on the territory of the landscape reserve "Larinsky", in the surroundings of the Baturino village in the Tomsk region. Another name for the natural monument is the Tugoyakovsk travertine cascade.

 

The status of the nature monument was given to the spring by the decision of the Tomsk Regional Executive Committee No. 31 of 14.02.1975.

 

The nature monument is a streamlet flowing out of the hillside and then falling down a 1.5-2 m waterfall. Then the water flow cascades down the slope about 40 meters. The water is saturated with calcareous CaCO3 salts, which settle on the stems of moss, repeating their shape and appearance.

Local residents call the spring "Dizvestny" that from the word "Dizvest" - lime. Actually, there are many calcite deposits on the source's territory, which give lime when roasting. However, a historical legend appeared in which the secretary in Soviet times made a mistake in the passport with the name of the natural monument, where the appropriated name "Zvezdny" and the end of another word "dy" (guess what nature) were merged and spelled out on a typewriter without a space. So instead of the Soviet Zvezdny klyuch, the beautiful name Dizvestny was launched into everyday life.

• For 1 hour the spring gives 35-40 liters of water

• In recent years, the spring is very popular among Tomsk residents. At the weekend on the approaches to it you can get into the traffic jam. From the parking zone to the source only 50 meters of path along the mountainside overgrown with a beautiful mixed forest.

• You can walk to the spring in the winter, the snowy path is trampled to the bank of the ancient river, and the spring itself does not freeze.

• Water temperature: +5 degrees C, and practically independent of fluctuations in air temperature.

• Water color: porous limestone is light gray, yellowish-gray.

• Smell of water: No odor.

• Taste of water: Fresh, has a smack of thawed snow.

• Water transparency: Crystal

• Water hardness: Not tough.

• The Zvezdny follows from a crack (as if from a mini grotto) of a small rock outcrop. The grotto is composed of a conglomerate rock - a pebble cemented with limestone. From the mini grotto water flows down a small ledge and flows down a waterfall (1.5-1.7 m high). And further, a 40-meter cascade flows down to the foot of the ancient coastal terrace.

• Is it possible to improve the source? 1) It is possible. 2) Do not litter the spring.

On the slopes of the terrace grows listed in the Red Book of the Tomsk region - yellow lady's slipper (real) (Cypripedium calceolus) and  a large-flowered lady's slipper (Cypripedium macranthon), marjin root, martagon lily. On the wall of the ledge of the Zvezdny klyuch waterfall there is a rare species of Myuroclada maximoviczii, a rare species found only within the spurs of the Kuznetsk Alatau. Along the stream abundantly grows Siberian doe, which reaches 2-2.5 meters. And along the whole slope there are thick reeds.

In the surroundings of the klyuch live the fox, squirrel, Altai marmot, badger, weasel and columns. Of the birds there is hazel grouse, black grouse and other upland fowl, in the fields there is a quail. A frequent visitor is the moose. Wolves can come from dangerous predators.

 

We observe in this region the constant presence of a deer, a Siberian deer rare enough for the Tomsk Region, a species introduced into the Red Book of the Tomsk Region. Colonial settlements of the Altai (gray) marmot on the slopes of the former spurs of mountain ranges have been discovered. The Altai marmot is also listed in the Red Book of the Tomsk Region.

From Zvezdny klyuch we set off along a slope overgrown with thick brushwood thickets - black currant and raspberry. Below, under the slope, you can see a swampy area (Zvezdny klyuch's water flows there). Here, wildly grow fern and broad-leaved cattail. And then the road begins to encircle the forest, and about 2 km from Zvezdny klyuch, it takes us to the bank of the Tugoyakovka River.

Tugoyakivka is the cleanest river in the Tomsk region. Scientists conducted a comparative analysis of water, and it turned out that the water in the river is cleaner than tap water. But the most important indicator of its purity is grayling. Here it is found in abundance.

Clean and fishy river Tugoyakivka liked even the finicky otter.

lady’s slipper yellow (real)

lady’s slipper large-flowered

martagon lily

maryin root

Miuroklada Maksimovich

Zvezdny klyuch is useful for research and educational activities:

• Zvezdny klyuch retains rare and endangered species of plants - the peony drooping, lady's slipper yellow, lady's slipper large-flowered. The lady's slipper is listed in the Red Book.

• Such unique natural monuments as "Zvezdny klyuch" are a good place for tourism and recreation. Around the source and the stream there is a system of trails for walks.

• Also the spring is used for drinking purposes by the local population: a wooden gutter, cut from logs, trails - all this indicates are used to be a stream.

• The territory around klyuch is constantly being improved: there are installation outlets, stands and other information signs and signs, construction of a road-and-tropic network is underway, installation of forest-park furniture and other facilities necessary for the functioning of the territory is completed.

• Some unfair tourists destroy and pollute the source.

• Travertine is porous limestone of  light gray, yellowish-gray color. It is formed from precipitated calcite from supersaturated mineral water. Precipitation (replacement) occurs through plant residues and moss, and looks like petrified moss. Travertine steps are very fragile, you cannot walk on them. Unfair tourists can destroy the natural steps.

bottom of page