Volga–Don Canal

Lenin Volga–Don Shipping Canal (Russian:Волго-Донской судоходный канал имени, В. И. Ленина, Volga-Donskoy soudokhodniy kanal imeni V. I. Lenina, abbreviated ВДСК, VDSK) is a ship canal in Russia. It connects the Volga and the Don at their closest points. Opened in 1952, its length is 101 km (63 mi), 45 km (28 mi) of which is through rivers and reservoirs.

Volga–Don Canal
Volga–Don Canal in October 2009
Specifications
Length63 miles (101 km)
Maximum boat length141 m (463 ft)
Maximum boat beam16.8 m (55 ft)
Maximum boat draft3.6 m (12 ft)
Locks13
Maximum height above sea level144 ft (44 m)
StatusOpen
History
Construction began1948
Date of first use1 June 1952
Date completed1952
Geography
Start pointVolgograd, Russia
End pointTsimlyansk Reservoir, near Volgodonsk, Russia
Beginning coordinates48°37′21″N 43°32′06″E
Ending coordinates48°31′21″N 44°33′09″E

The canal forms a part of the Unified Deep Water System of European Russia. Together with the lower Volga and the lower Don, the canal provides the shortest navigable connection between the Caspian Sea and the world's oceans via the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.

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