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07.07.2018

8 July 2018 marks 140 anniversary since the agrometeorological station Vasilevichi was founded

Meteorological observations in Vasilevichi were started through the activities of West swamp drainage expedition led by lieutenant general Josef Ippolitovich Zhilinskiy in the late 19th century (1878). Station was founded by national of Kingdom of Denmark Magnus-Johann Gedeman who had come in Russia and had joined the swamp drainage expedition under control of its Chief lieutenant general Zhilinskiy in 1878.

Primarily station settled down in the priest garden in the center of Vasilevichi village. Surrounding area was swampy plain in the territory of Pridneprovsk lowland.

Gedeman started experiments in turning innings in the territory of Vasilevichi forestry into fertile land by the use of lime and ash. In course of time quite large amount of land was ready for economic use. Thereafter this land gave wonderful harvest.

In 1878 meteorological station had following instruments: barometer aneroid established in the observer house, thermometer shelter with zinc cage where Geissler psychrometer and hair hygrometer were placed. Wild's anemometer was installed at a height of 6, 2 m near the shelter. There were 3 rain gauges on the site. In addition, there were 4 evaporimeters – 2 on sandy soil and 2 on the peat moor.

Observational data was used by professor Voyeykov in the article «Climate of Polesye» published in the collection «Work studies on West swamp drainage expedition» which was released in 1899.

Professor recommended M. Gedeman for a decoration. Imperator bestowed the Order of Saint Anna (third class) upon him in April 1913.

Despite the wars, political cataclysms and other problems, observations continued almost without interruption at the station.

At the present time 7 people work at the station. They provide full range of meteorological, actinometrical, agrometeorological and hydrological observations.

The station is benchmark and is only one in the Republic of Belarus referring to ground net of Global Climate Observing System. It was added to the bulletin of American Meteorological Society in October, 1997.

All received data are transmitted by the station for compilation to Branch office «Gomeloblhydromet» of state institution «Republican center for hydrometeorology, control of radioactive contamination and environmental monitoring».

In recognition of its contribution to high-quality observations for ground net agrometeorological station Vasilevichi was presented with certificate of the Global Climate Observing System Secretariat (Geneva, Switzerland) in 2005, in 2012 and 2014 it was awarded with diploma for first place, in 2013 – for second place and in 2015 for third place in the Republic-wide competition as the best agrometeorological division.