Bratsk HPP Dam in Bratsk — Online Webcam in Real Time

Unique Dam: Russia's Only Blind Earthfill Dam

The Bratsk HPP stands apart from all other hydroelectric power stations in the country. Its dam is the only blind earthfill type with a clay core in Russia. Only the spillway section and the station building itself are made of concrete, while the main body is a giant embankment of sand and clay. The height of the structure is 125 meters, and its length exceeds 4.4 kilometers, making it one of the longest dams in the world. The HPP building is integrated directly into the dam body — a so-called riverbed-type building, which dramatically reduced the volume of construction work.

Records and Firsts: From Komsomol Construction to World Leadership

The construction of the Bratsk HPP was declared an All-Union Komsomol shock construction project. Young people from across the USSR flocked here — the romance of great construction projects drew thousands to the harsh taiga. The damming of the Angara took place in 1961 — an extremely challenging engineering task due to the river's turbulent nature and extreme climate. The first hydroelectric unit generated power on November 22, 1961, at 17:00. And in 1967, when the station reached its design capacity, it became the most powerful hydroelectric power station in the world. Today, the Bratsk HPP is the second most powerful in Russia after the Sayano-Shushenskaya, with a capacity of 4,500 MW.

Harsh Conditions: Concrete at -50°C and Permafrost

Construction took place in a sharply continental climate — winter temperatures dropped to -50°C, while summer temperatures rose to +35°C. Concrete had to be heated, and equipment specially adapted for permafrost. Hundreds of builders were awarded orders and medals for their work on the station, and in 1963, the country's first brigade of Heroes of Socialist Labor appeared at the construction site.

Bratsk Reservoir: The World's Largest by Volume

Upon its creation, the Bratsk Reservoir became the largest in the world by volume — 169 cubic kilometers. The water submerged more than 100 villages and settlements, fertile lands, forests, and hayfields. Cemeteries, churches, and arable lands ended up underwater. About 100,000 people were resettled. The historical center — the old Bratsk fortress (ostrog), founded in 1631 — found itself at the bottom of the reservoir.

Winter Wonder: The Unfreezing Angara and Ice Formations

The Angara flows out of Lake Baikal, and the water in it remains relatively warm in winter — about +2...+4°C thanks to the deep layers of the lake. Therefore, below the dam the river does not freeze for tens of kilometers. Due to the temperature difference between the water and the freezing air (often down to -30...-40°C), thick fog forms over the river, enveloping the city and surroundings. This vapor settles on trees, wires, and structures, turning them into fantastic white sculptures with a thick layer of frost. Upstream, on the reservoir itself, a powerful ice cover forms in winter. On rare occasions, spillways are opened in winter — giant fountains of spray instantly freeze, forming ice formations at the base of the dam.

Birth of an Industrial Giant: How the HPP Transformed the City

Before the construction of the HPP, the site of modern Bratsk was home to a small village and the settlement of Padun. The station provided a powerful impetus for the creation of a major industrial center — the city expanded with new residential districts: Osinovka, Sosnovye, Biofabrika, Chekanov, and Energetik. The availability of cheap electricity made it possible to build the Bratsk Aluminum Plant (BrAZ) and the Bratsk Timber Industrial Complex (BLPK), making the city one of the largest industrial centers in Eastern Siberia.

Energy of the Angara: Cascade of Giants and the Role of the Bratsk HPP

The Bratsk HPP is a key link in the Angara cascade of hydroelectric power stations. Together with the Krasnoyarsk, Sayano-Shushenskaya, and other stations, it forms the world's largest hydroelectric complex. The Bratsk Reservoir provides multi-year flow regulation, ensuring stable operation of all downstream HPPs in the cascade. This is a unique engineering solution with no analogues in world practice.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online webcam shows a panorama of the Bratsk HPP dam in real time. The live feed shows the station building, spillway chutes, and the Angara riverbed. In winter, the camera captures the powerful stream of discharged water, thick fog over the river, and ice fields on the reservoir. In summer — green banks and vessel traffic. At night, the dam is illuminated with architectural lighting, creating an impressive spectacle. The online camera allows you to observe the operation of the hydroelectric units and changes in water levels in the upper and lower pools at any time of day.