Siberian 'gecko'

The gecko-shaped body of water featured in this Envisat radar image was formed by the Bratsk Reservoir in southeastern Siberia, Russia. The reservoir was formed in the 1960s by damming the Angara River to provide hydroelectric power. The dam, 125 m high and 4417 m wide, was built near the city of Bratsk (white area in the upper left). Agricultural crops can be seen along the southwestern side of the reservoir, including grains, potatoes and vegetables.