Soviet Plan to Divert Siberian Rivers Using Nuclear Explosions

A historical account details the Soviet Union's ambitious and controversial plan to divert Siberian rivers using 'peaceful nuclear explosions,' which resulted in the creation of 'Nuclear Lake' west of the Ural Mountains.

23 Feb, 16:25 — 23 Feb, 17:16

Low (24/100)

2 sourcesNo spread2 regions

Post Share

Why this matters

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union pursued ambitious mega-projects, including plans to divert Siberian rivers to address water shortages in arid regions and boost agriculture. This particular plan involved using "peaceful nuclear explosions" to create canals and reservoirs, reflecting a broader Soviet belief in harnessing nuclear power for civil engineering. The story matters as it highlights a historical example of large-scale environmental engineering with potentially catastrophic consequences and the dual-use nature of nuclear technology.

ℹOnly 2 sources cover this story