Ust-Kut

a city under oblast jurisdiction and administrative center of Ust’-Kut Raion, Irkutsk Oblast, RSFSR. Ust’-Kut is situated at the point where the Kut River empties into the Lena. An important transportation junction, it is used for the transshipment of freight to and from trains stopping at the Lena railroad station and vessels operating on the Lena, harbored at the port of Osetrovo. It is a terminus of the western section of the BaikalAmur Railroad. The city was founded in 1954 as a result of the merger of the settlements of Ust’-Kut and Osetrovo. It has a shipyard, two logging and timber distribution establishments, and a milk plant. A school for training in river transport is located in the city.

A balneological-pelotherapeutic resort is found 3 km from Ust’-Kut. Summers are warm (average July temperature, 20° C), and winters are cold (average January temperature, –22° C). Annual precipitation is approximately 350 mm. Radon (15 nanocuries per liter [43 mache units]) sodium chloride brine, containing bromine, is used in diluted form for baths; silt mud from Lake Ust’-Kutskoe is also used. The resort treats ailments of the parietal musculature, gynecological complaints, and disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Facilities include a sanatorium and a balneological-pelotherapeutic treatment station.