The largest Russian lakes. The beauty and charm of the water surface

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TOP Russian lakes with unusual names

Russia can confidently be called a lake region. Of course, there are countries with a large number of freshwater bodies of water, but for a Russian person nothing can be more beautiful than their native expanses. In addition, almost all of our lakes have original, distinctive names.

"Gechepsin". This lake is located in the Crimean region Krasnodar region, in the Lefkadia valley. Translated from Adyghe, this reservoir is called “a well, the water in which is suitable for washing.” Why this name was chosen - history is silent. We can only make assumptions. Thus, the water in the lake could be soft and clean, or “Gechepsin” was specially created for various bathing procedures.

« Dead Lake». In the southern part Eastern Siberia, next to Lake Baikal, is located “Dead Lake”. This is a pond with clean water, however, no one swims there, because it is mostly swampy, and its banks are mostly peaty and unsteady. This lake also has another name - “Warm Lake”. It's all about the gas, the bubbles of which rise from the bottom to the surface.

"Stinking Lake"“Smerdyache Lake” is located in the Shatursky district of the Moscow region. The reservoir got its name from the characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide. In 1985, a hypothesis was put forward about the meteorite origin of the lake, which was later confirmed. According to scientists, the meteorite that formed the “Smerdyache Lake” collided with the Earth about 10 thousand years ago.

"Svetloyar". To see Lake Svetloyar, you need to get to the Voskresensky district Nizhny Novgorod region. According to legend, it is under the water of this reservoir that the magical city of Kitezh is hidden. Only righteous people, bright people, are worthy to hear this holy city. They say that from the bottom of the Svetloyar a roar is sometimes heard, similar to the ringing of bells.

"Tsagan-Khag". This lake is located in the Republic of Kalmykia. Its name is translated from Kalmyk as “white silt”. Most likely, there is no legend here, only observations. “Tsagan-Khag” is located on a salt marsh area and periodically dries out. It is during these periods that white salt forms on the surface of the reservoir, which in ancient times was most likely mistaken for silt.

Lake "Boiling" On Sakhalin, on the island of Kunashir, there is Lake Boiling. According to legend, this reservoir was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion. The lake received its name “Boiling” due to the fact that its water is heated by volcanic gases. Here you can often observe volley emissions of boiling water, echoed by jets of sulfur and hydrogen sulfide gases.

"Bottomless Lake" It would seem that there is nothing easier than measuring the depth of the lake. However, this is not the case with the Bottomless Lake, the depth of which is still unknown. Hence the name. This reservoir is located in the Moscow region, near the Vertlinskoe highway. Another feature of the “Bottomless Lake” is that it does not have solid shores (you can swim only from the pier), but, nevertheless, it never changes its round shape.

Our Motherland, Russia, is rich in water resources. These include reserves of clean fresh water and vast salty seas and lakes. This article is dedicated to the largest lakes in Russia. There are a lot of them, we will highlight ten main ones. And if you are concerned about the question: what is the most big lake in Russia?, then by carefully studying this TOP, you will get the answer.

1. Caspian Sea

This lake is considered to be a sea because it has salty waters and is huge in size. It is the largest lake not only in Russia, but on the entire planet. There are five states along its banks: Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan). The territories of Russia washed by this lake are Kalmykia, Dagestan, Astrakhan region. The area of ​​the Caspian Sea is more than 370 thousand sq. km, and the maximum depth is 1025 meters. It bears its name as a legacy of ancient tribes - the Caspians, who lived in ancient times in the southwest of its coast.

2. Baikal

The second largest lake in Russia. This is the biggest freshwater lake. It is located in Eastern Siberia on the territory of Buryatia and Irkutsk region. Baikal is the most deep lake planets. Its maximum depth is 1640 meters. The area of ​​this lake is more than 315,000 sq. km., it is the main reservoir of fresh water in Russia (90% of the total reserves). The Angara River flows out of Lake Baikal. The waters of this beautiful lake are clean and fresh. For now we have something to be proud of.

Located on the territory of the Republic of Karelia and Leningrad region, a large lake with an area of ​​17,600 sq. km amazes with its beauty and picturesque nature. Lake Ladoga is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Europe, with a maximum depth of 230 meters. 35 are drawn to his bosom large rivers, and the proud Neva flows out of it. Industrial and private fishing flourishes on Lake Ladoga, which is facilitated by the abundance of various types fish.

4. Lake Onega

Freshwater lake in Karelia, Leningrad and Vologda regions. Along its wide banks there are numerous monuments of Russian culture. The clear water of “Onego-father”, as it is lovingly called by the people, extends over 9616 sq. km and has a greatest depth of 127 meters. The Svir River flows out of the lake.

The lake spreads over 4,560 sq. km in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. it is located on the peninsula of the same name. Taimyr is the most northern lake Earth. The depth and width of the lake vary depending on ice density and time of year, but in general the most deep place– 26 meters. Mostly the Taimyr Lake is home to arctic fish species adapted to survive in harsh cold conditions.

6. Khanka

The lake is located in Primorye, on the border with China. Favorite place tourists who want to visit Far East Russia and on the territory of China, and get acquainted with the culture and customs of two countries so different from each other.
The maximum depth of Khanka is 11 meters, and the area is about 4070 sq. km. The lake is rich in its fauna, but many species of fish are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and are prohibited from catching.

Located in the Pskov region. It has an area of ​​3550 sq. km and a greatest depth of 15 km. The Narva River originates from here.

8. Uvsu-Nur

This salty place is located in Tuva, beautiful lake with an unusual name. Its area is 3350 sq. km, and its maximum depth reaches 15 meters.

9. Lake Chany

Salt lake in the Novosibirsk region. There is a legend that a huge snake lives in this lake and devours people. And what? There is plenty of room to wander around. After all, the area of ​​this lake varies, reaching 2000 sq. km, and the depth in some places is 12 meters. And although these may be fairy tales for tourists, the lake fascinates with its living beauty.

10. White Lake

Fresh Lake, located in the Vologda region, covers an area of ​​​​about 1290 sq. km, reaches a maximum depth of 20 meters, although the shore of White Lake is quite low and its average depth is 5-7 meters. The Sheksna River flows from its depths. The lake is rich in fish, and happy fishermen catch up to 30 different species of fish.

We have listed some of the many lakes located in our country. As you can see, Karelia is the richest area in Russia with lakes. Lucky!

Well, the smallest lake in Russia has not yet bothered to get its name. Apparently, because there are thousands of such lakes in Russia! Some people call them by the names of the surrounding villages. The official version of the smallest lake is Lake Ertso, on the territory South Ossetia. Every 3-5 years the lake completely goes underground, as if it never existed, and after a while it appears again with a solemn appearance. A kind of “ghost”. In high water it reaches 0.5 sq. km. This is such an unusual lake.

Water has always had an effect on people not only bewitching, but also calming. People came to her and told about their sorrows; in her calm waters they found special peace and harmony. That's why Russia's numerous lakes are so remarkable!

The beauty and charm of the water surface

The calm, mirror-like surface is still water, surrounded on all sides by shores. It is also a place of worship and aesthetic pleasure. What types of lakes are there? They can be deep (sometimes deeper than the seas) and shallow, fresh and salty, large in area and small, of volcanic, tectonic, moraine origin. Their ages also differ from each other. There are no ugly or boring ones, the map shows that there are an infinite number of them, and each of them is beautiful and perfect in its own way.

Surely any traveler who has visited this country at least once or a resident will have his own favorite or even sacred lake. In any case, visiting them is highly recommended. Once you see Baikal or Lake Teletskoye, you will fall in love with it once and for all! This is the place of power that fills you with energy after years of work, stuffy city air and prolonged social contact. It is important not only to contemplate beauty with reverence, but also to protect it.

Deep abyss of Baikal

What is Russia like? Of course, this is the mysterious and unique Baikal! Even every schoolchild has heard about him. It's just magical and unique place with pure, pure water, which always has a deep blue tint. If there is not a cloud in the sky, then the surface of the water becomes simply emerald! The deep lake is of high ecological value and is included in the UNESCO list. The water here is fresh, and the depth reaches 1642 meters, which allows it to be compared with the depths of the Arctic Ocean (depth 1220 meters). If suddenly there is no more, then the deepest lake in Russia will be able to quench the thirst of the population of the whole world for 50 years, since it makes up a fifth of all reserves.

It is considered the oldest lake. Think for yourself - its age is 25 million years! Its depth is due to a large crack in the earth's crust. The continental depression is gradually increasing. The largest island here is Olkhon Island, stretching over 71 kilometers. It divides Baikal into Maloe ( East End) and the Big Sea ( West Side).

The waters here are crystal clear, so you can see down to 40 meters, allowing you to spot the local deep-sea inhabitants. The water temperature is usually around +8 degrees Celsius. Baikal is also famous for its hot springs. Two large cities located near its waters are Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. Near the calm surface of the lake it is not entirely serene. Earthquakes, small and large, happen here all the time.

The Pearl of Karelia - Lake Onega

Baikal is the most a nice place, but there are also other lakes in Russia that captivate travelers with their mystery. Onega is one of them. They even began to call it the sea, since it is the second largest in Europe after Ladoga. The length of the lake is 245 kilometers, the greatest depth is 130 meters. Since the distant ice age, many local inhabitants have remained here - fish and amphibians. This place is a treasure trove of loot for those who like to fish. The northern region is ideal for habitat of valuable fish species: trout, salmon, sterlet.

Lake Peipsi - the grandeur of the dunes

Where is another one of the largest and most beautiful lakes located? In the northern regions, like most others. Lake Peipsi is located near Latvia and Estonia. It separates these two countries from the Pskov region. The longest length is 90 kilometers and the width is 47 kilometers. The lake is constantly replenished with water from many small rivers and large streams. What is remarkable about the shores of Lake Peipsi on the northern side? They are a continuous chain of dunes that stretch into the distance. Their height is quite impressive - about eight, and in some places even 10 meters. Closer to the west the dunes become flatter. The southern side is filled with boulders of Finnish granite.

There is also an island, lost in the brilliant water surface. It is located in the south of the lake and has the name “Zhelachek” (“Mezha”). It also contains two small villages.

The western part of Lake Peipsi is no less interesting for travelers. The shores in this area have their own unique outlines. Calm bays are combined with steep headlands and gently sloping shores. These capes are so high that they reach up to 24 meters. The depth of the lake is 7.5 meters. What is the bottom? It consists mainly of sand, clayey and sandy silt. This is not a crystal clear body of water like Baikal or the lakes of the Alps, from an aesthetic point of view. Silty sediments make the water cloudy. This place also did not go unnoticed by fishermen. The vast waters are rich in a variety of fish. There are burbot, pike perch, salmon and others.

Velikaya Ladoga

How beautiful are the names of Russian lakes! For example, it captivates us with the beauty of the nature of the North and became a savior during the Second World War. Northern Shores dotted with labyrinthine straits. There are even islands and trees growing on them. The bottom relief systematically increases from the south (51 meters) to the north (depth 230 meters).

There are many islands here, frozen in the form of steep fancy rocks, their height reaches 70 meters. Eastern Bank not as rugged as the western one, where forests and shrubs can be found. Lake Ladoga is fed by the waters of thirty-two rivers. The Neva River flows out of it in full flow, the length of which reaches 74 kilometers.

By the way, here it is observed a large number of rainy days, although the greatest amount of precipitation occurs in the warm season. The winds are quite strong, which leads to excitement on the lake. The height of the waves can reach four meters. The water temperature in the warm season stays at +8 degrees Celsius.

Caspian sea-lake

It is not only the largest lake in the world, but also quite deep. Although scientifically it is considered to be a sea. The deep ones are mysterious and interesting for the traveler in their own way. In the northern part the depth is small - only 5 meters. In the middle it is already getting deeper - 20 meters. The southern part of the Caspian Sea is the deepest - it reaches 1025.

This sea or lake is unevenly salty. In places where river mouths are located, the water is fresher. The water level in the lake is 25 meters below the ocean. On the shore there are such big cities, like Baku, Makhachkala. The climate is sharply continental, so there are low temperatures in winter and quite high in summer. The large Urals and Volga flow into the Caspian Sea.

Salt Lake Chany

There are also salt lakes in Russia, for example Chany. It is located in the Novosibirsk region and is classified as drainless. The word "chany" translated from Turkic means "large vessel". Already in October the lake is covered with ice and thaws only in May. Although its waters warm up to 28 degrees Celsius in summer. The area of ​​the lake always fluctuates and reaches 2000 square meters. It is not very deep - only 2 meters is the average. Along the banks, which are very rugged, there are thickets of reeds, reeds, various shrubs and sedges.

What else is remarkable about Lake Chany? There are up to 70 islands on the water surface, some of them are not only large, but also represent amazing landscapes, have a great variety of plants and rare animal species. The salt lakes of Russia have varying degrees of salinity. Chany is lightly salted, since the main food is melted snow. The weather on the lake is a reflection of the continental climate. In winter, snow cover can reach up to 30 cm in height.

For tourists, there are many recreation centers here, and there are corners where you can fish. Those who prefer boating should be careful - there are often storms here. Chany is also considered mysterious, and according to some stories, anomalous place. There is a legend that there is a strange animal of enormous size that harms people and livestock.

- volcanic beauty

This beautiful creation of nature is located in the very south of the Kamchatka Peninsula and is considered freshwater. The maximum depth reaches 306 meters, so it can safely be classified as deep-sea. Some islands that can be found on the surface are peculiar volcanic domes that rose from the bottom as a result of squeezing out magma.

Such lakes in Russia are of particular value, therefore Kurilskoe is included in the UNESCO heritage list. There are even some called “Kuril Springs”. Their temperature reaches 45 degrees Celsius.

The cold inaccessibility of Lake Taimyr

This unique lake its area can only be compared with Lake Baikal. It is considered the northernmost on the planet. What unusual can a traveler find here? Characteristic not only cold beauty and grandeur, but also the fact that the water here constantly changes its level. The lake is located in the Krasnoyarsk Territory beyond the Arctic Circle on the peninsula of the same name in the tundra.

We can say that local waters are covered with ice all year round. The greatest depth is 26 meters. Water temperature in summer time year does not rise above 8 degrees Celsius, and in winter it drops to zero. The thickness of the ice can reach three meters. Oddly enough, in the waters of Taimyr there are fish - whitefish, muksun, whitefish, vendace.

Moraine lakes of Russia. Seliger

Forests, swamps, cozy coves - all this is the surrounding area of ​​Lake Seliger. It is located in the Tver and Novgorod regions. The landscapes in this area are predominantly hilly, and in some places plains predominate. Natural beaches contrast with steep shores covered with coniferous trees. There are about 160 medium and small islands on the lake. The surface is covered with ice in the cold season and is opened only in May. All lakes in Russia are accompanied by unique vegetation. Not only coniferous trees grow near Seliger, but also oaks, bird cherry, and rowan.

What exactly are moraine lakes? These are very picturesque corners of nature, their amazing beauty and unusual origin are simply amazing. The lakes of Russia are of the moraine type - the so-called “depressions” or “closed basins”, which appeared many years ago as a result of the melting of blocks of ice, which is why they are also commonly called “glacial”. They can be found only in the north and northwest of Russia. They are rarely large in size and depth. Usually their average depth does not exceed 10 meters, the banks are usually very indented. The largest of those reservoirs that can be classified as moraine are Chudsko-Pskovskoe, Seliger, Ilmen, which was once called the Slovenian Sea by the Slavs.

Conclusion

As we can see, Russia is a lake region that is sure to please even the most experienced traveler.

There are more than two million freshwater and salt lakes in Russia. The largest lakes in the European part of the country include Ladoga (17.87 thousand km²) and Onega (9.72 thousand km²) in the north-west, Lake Peipus (3.55 thousand km²) on the Estonian border, as well as the Rybinsk Reservoir ( 4.58 thousand km²) on the Volga north of Moscow.

Narrow lakes from 160 to 320 km in length, located behind dams on the Don, Volga and Kama. In Siberia, similar artificial lakes are located on the upper Yenisei and its tributary the Angara, where the 570 km long Bratsk reservoir is one of the largest in the world. But they are all insignificant compared to Lake Baikal, the largest reservoir of fresh water on the planet. 636 km long and with an average width of 50 km, Baikal's surface area is 31.72 thousand km² and its maximum depth is 1642 m.

There are also countless smaller lakes, located mainly in the poorly drained lowlands of the Russian and West Siberian Plains, especially in the more northern regions. Some of them reach significant sizes, in particular, Lake Beloe (1.29 thousand km²), Topozero (0.98 thousand km²), Vygozero (0.56 thousand km²) and Lake Ilmen (0.98 thousand km²) on the territory of the European north-west of the country, and Lake Chany (1.4-2 thousand km²) in south-west Siberia.

List of the largest lakes in Russia

We present to your attention the 10 largest lakes in the Russian Federation with descriptions, photos and geographical location on the map of the country.

Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water (area: 371 thousand km²). It is called a sea, not a lake, because the ancient Romans, who arrived in this region, discovered that its water was salty, and called it a sea after the Caspian tribes who lived near the shores of the lake. The Caspian Sea borders the following five countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Iran. Main river The lake is fed by the Volga, which provides about 80% of the inflow of water from the Caspian Sea, and the remaining 20% ​​comes from other smaller rivers.

The Caspian Sea is rich in oil and natural gas deposits, but their extraction is under development. The extraction process is also hampered by the problem of separation natural resources lakes between the five countries bordering it. The Caspian Sea and the deltas of the rivers flowing into it are home to about 160 species and subspecies of fish from 60 genera. About 62% of species are endemic.

Baikal

Baikal is the deepest (1642 m), oldest (25-35 million years) and most voluminous (23.6 thousand km³) of all the lakes in the world, it is a superstar reservoir in the fields of hydrology, geology, ecology and history. Today Lake Baikal contains about 20 percent of the fresh water on the Earth's surface, which is comparable in volume to the entire Amazon River basin. Baikal has 27 islands, including one more than 70 km in length (Olkhon Island).

The shores of the lake are home to more than 1,500 species of animals, 80% of which are found nowhere else on the planet. The most famous representative of the Baikal fauna is the seal, which lives exclusively in fresh water. According to some reports, the population of seals is about 100,000 individuals. Also near the lake there are such large predators as wolves, which occupy the top positions of the Siberian food chain, feeding on deer, birds, rodents and smaller predators.

Ladoga lake

Lake Ladoga is the largest freshwater lake in Europe, located in northwestern Russia, 40 km east of St. Petersburg. The area of ​​the lake is 17.87 thousand km², the volume is 838 km³, and the maximum depth at a point west of the island of Valaam it reaches 230 m.

The depression of the lake appeared under the influence of glaciers. The northern shores are mostly high and rocky, and are separated by deep, ice-covered bays. Southern Shores have many sandy or rocky beaches, mostly low, slightly concave, overgrown with willow and alder. In some places there are ancient coastal embankments covered with pine trees. The largest tributaries are the Volkhov, Svir and Vuoksa rivers.

48 different species of fish were found in the lake, of which the most common are roach, carp, bream, pike perch, perch and smelt. Of the 48 species, 25 are of commercial importance and 11 are classified as important food fish.

Lake Ladoga also serves as a key stopover for migratory birds along the North Atlantic Flyway, which typically mark the arrival of spring.

Lake Onega

Lake Onega- the second largest lake in Europe, located in the north-west of the European part of Russia, between Lake Ladoga and the White Sea. It covers an area of ​​9.72 thousand km², 248 km in length and up to 83 km in width. The greatest depth is about 127 m.

The lake basin was formed by the movement of the earth's crust and glaciers. High rocky shores in the north and northwest they consist of layered granite and are covered with forest. There are deep bays in Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga and Pevenets. The southern shores are narrow, sandy, often swampy or flooded. Lake Onega has about 1,650 islands, covering a total of about 260 km², usually in the northern and northwestern bays.

The lake is home to more than 40 species of fish, including vendace (a small member of the salmon family), smelt, burbot bream, pike, perch, roach and salmon. Many fish species have significant economic value.

Taimyr

Taimyr - second (after Baikal) largest lake in the Asian part of Russia, located in the central regions of the Taimyr Peninsula. It is located south of the Byrranga Mountains, in the zone.

The lake and tundra zone is popular place for birds such as geese, swans, ducks, buzzards, peregrine falcons and snowy owls. Lake Taimyr is home to a large number of fish, including grayling, muksun, char and whitefish. Although the area is relatively remote, stocks of certain commercial fish species are still being depleted.

Taimyr is famous for the largest population of reindeer in Eurasia. Animals such as argali, arctic fox, wolf and lemmings are also found in this region. In 1975, the area was reintroduced.

Since 1983, the lake and its surroundings have been included in the Taimyr nature reserve. Scientists have discovered plutonium in the lake sediment, which is believed to have entered Taimyr via wind-blown radioactive particles from nuclear tests conducted on Novaya Zemlya during the Cold War.

Khanka

Lake Khanka has an area of ​​4 thousand km², of which approximately 97% is located in Russia. The maximum depth of the lake is 10.6 m, and the average volume is 18.3 km². The lake is fed by 23 rivers, 8 of which are in China, and the rest in the Russian Federation. The only outflow is the Sungacha River, which flows east to the Ussuri River, which forms the international border, and flows north where it joins the Amur River.

Khanka is famous for being home to the highest diversity of birds in the entire temperate zone of Eurasia. At least 327 species of nesting, wintering and migratory birds have been observed in the lake area.

Lake Peipus-Pskov

Lake Peipus-Pskov is the largest transboundary and fifth (after Ladoga, Onega, Swedish Vänern and Finnish Saimaa) largest lake in Europe, located on the border between Estonia and Russia. It takes up 3.6% of total area basin of the Baltic Sea. A total of 30 islands are located on Lake Peipsi, and another 40 in the Velikaya River delta. Most of them rise only 1-2 m above the water level, and often suffer from floods.

About 54 species of coastal aquatic plants grow in the Lake Peipus basin, including reeds, calamus, reeds and various grasses. The waters of the lake are home to 42 species of fish, such as smelt, vendace, bream, perch, pike, roach and whitefish. Wetlands provide important nesting and feeding sites for migratory birds such as swans, geese and ducks that migrate from White Sea To Baltic Sea. The region is home to one of the largest swallow colonies in Estonia.

Uvsu-Nur

Uvsu-Nur is the largest lake in Mongolia in terms of surface area (3.35 thousand km²), as well as the largest salt Lake in the country. The Uvs-Nur basin is one of the most important biodiversity poles in Eurasia. Although most of the lake is in Mongolia, its northeastern shores are located in the Tyva Republic of the Russian Federation.

The lake is shallow, very salty, and is the remnant big sea that existed several thousand years ago. The basin covers an area of ​​about 70 thousand km² and is one of the best preserved natural steppe landscapes on the continent. It is here that the northernmost part of the desert and the most South part tundra

Reed and freshwater river deltas serve as resting and nesting sites for numerous migratory birds. More than 220 species of birds can be found around the lake, including black stork, osprey, white-tailed eagle, whooper and black-headed gull. About 29 different species of fish live in the waters of the lake, one of which is suitable for human consumption. The mountainous region is home to Mongolian gerbils, wild sheep and Siberian ibex.

Vats

Although Lake Chany is not very well known outside of Siberia, it is one of the most large lakes countries. Chany is a shallow lake with salty and constantly fluctuating water, the level of which can change from season to season and from year to year. The lands of the lake basin serve as pastures for cattle.

The vats play an important role in the region's fisheries. The most common species are silver carp, carp, ide, and perch. Recently, there has been a tendency to deplete the lake's fish stocks.

Lake Beloe

In terms of area, Beloe is second (after Onega) natural lake Vologda region, and third (after the Rybinsk reservoir). It is one of the ten largest natural lakes in Europe. The lake has a relatively round shape with a diameter of 46 km. Its area is 1.29 thousand km², and the basin area is about 14 thousand km².

The lake is famous for its fish stocks, the most famous delicacy being Belozersk smelt. The food supply and high oxygen levels create favorable conditions for the life of many species. The following types of fish are common in the waters of the lake: perch, pike, bream, ruffe, sabrefish, roach, bleak, burbot, chub, rudd, whitefish, ide, tench, asp, dace and gudgeon).

Table of the 10 largest lakes in Russia