Construction of hydro power plant was launched in the 50-ies of the XX century in the catchment area of river Shaori. Shaori cavity was picked for arranging water supply to HPP. That is how emerged an idea of making a water reservoir in the cavity of a river. Its area is 9,2 sq.km, maximum depth 14,5 m. Other than river water, the reservoir gets its feed from underground waters (including mineral water springs) and powerful underground rivers existing on the surrounding area (Dzrokhistvala, Kvakhetkila, Khvreleti, Chikvaidze Karis Satvale and others). Around the Shaori cavity (area 180 sq.km) there are many karst funnels and wells with the depth hovering from 5-15 m, as well as karst caves with until now unexplored underground halls. From the dam of the reservoir to the village of Nikortsminda there is an underground karst lake. Cavity is surrounded by Nakerala range covered with forests and Satsaliki mount covered with unique groves of beech trees, Caucasus fir-trees and mixed deciduous trees. There are a lot of mushroom species in the forest massif: Caesar’s mushroom, red pine mushroom, chanterelle, russule, milk mushroom. Recently plan of Shaori territory development has been worked out providing construction of tourism and recreational complex on the territory encircling the reservoir.

 

1. Soil and rock floor of the reservoir and plush vegetation in the waterpool create favorable conditions for fish. Here is the habitat of: common carp, grass carp, silver carp, vimba, chub, trout, barbell, crucian carp, roach. Fishing lovers gather in Racha from all over

Georgia. There is a private fishing farm in Shaori where silver carp and common carp are cultivated.

2. Shaori cavity climate has health and cure properties. In 1898 military doctor Ivan Pantiukhov who supervised soldiers camped on this

territory was amazed to point out that in spite of frequent rains and unbearable cold, nobody caught bronchitis or even running nose.

 

Location: Racha range, South-Western direction of Shaori cavity

Distance: 20 km away from Ambrolauri, 275 km away from Tbilisi

Sea level: 1100-1200 m

Landscape: mountainous

Climate: middle mountain climate, winter usually with high and long lasting snow cover, mean temperature in January -4,2 degrees centigrade, summer cool with long swings of day and night temperature, mean temperature in July (the hottest month) 17,5 degrees centigrade

Average annual precipitation: 1300-1800 mm