Information about Lake Onega. Lake Onega (Karelia, Russia): photo, video, fishing. Lake Onega on the map. Petroglyphs, interesting facts about the lake

Among the forests, rocks and swamps of Karelia, a large lake of a completely unusual shape has spread its vast expanses of water. Like an unknown monster, it stretched its tentacles-gulfs far to the north; one of them in its shape resembles a trunk, the other - a powerful claw of a huge cancer. This Lake Onega, or Onego, as it was called from time immemorial by Russian people, the second largest freshwater lake in Europe.

It is said that in the Old Finnish language the word "onego" means "smoking lake", and this name appeared due to frequent fogs in the area. However, some geographers do not agree with this and believe that the name passed to the lake from the river flowing to the east of it (or, conversely, the river took its name from the lake). Onego is also called the younger sister of the great Ladoga. And although it is two times smaller, it is almost a good fifty kilometers longer. It is curious to find out: why do lake scientists consider these giant reservoirs of Europe to be sisters?

For this, it turns out, there are serious reasons. The giant lakes are related not only by the fact that they are the largest on the continent and are located close to each other. The main thing is that they were born almost simultaneously after the retreat of the last glaciers. Large depressions, the bottoms of which are occupied by the Ladoga and Onega lakes, existed even in preglacial times. They arose in ancient geological epochs during shifts and faults in the earth's crust. Glaciers, which repeatedly advanced from the north to the territory of Europe, smoothed out, or, as they say, “ploughed out”, the bottom of the lake basins, made them more even.

The southern and northern parts of Lake Onega differ sharply from each other, especially in the structure and outline of the shores. South part lakes - this is a vast reach, the Central Lake Onega. It is concentrated most of lake waters, and the depth here is significant - in places 100-110 meters. The shores are varied - rocky, sandy, swampy. Completely different shores in the northern part of the lake. Here it is divided into two bays - Big and Small Lake Onega. Crashing into the southern tip of the Baltic Crystalline Shield, they stretched far to the north.

The eastern bay from the Small Lake Onega stretches northward to the city of Medvezhyegorsk and in that area is called Povenetsky. From him, the city of Povenets got its name, where one of the most important artificial waterways of our country begins - the White Sea-Baltic Canal, which connected the Volga with the White Sea. Big Lake Onega is divided into bays, which are called here bays. There are three of them - Kondopozhskaya, Ilem-Gorskaya and Lizhemskaya. The shores of bays are very indented. They are covered with forest, rocky and often break off directly to the water with sheer cliffs.

Numerous small bays are separated by headlands. The ends of the capes seem to have been crushed by someone with a giant hammer, and therefore stone placers, or, in the local language, luds, formed here in abundance. When strong winds rage, luds come out of the water. Between large bays there is a vast peninsula of Zaonezhie - the land of forests, rocks, swamps and ancient legends.

Lake Onega is rich in islands. There are more than one and a half thousand of them. Covered with dense forests, with shores indented with bays and bays, the islands give the lake a peculiar charm and picturesqueness. This was noted by the writer M. M. Prishvin: “The islands seemed to rise above the water and hung in the air, as it seems here in very calm weather ...” Indeed, the islands seem to be “hanging”, because in clear weather they are, as if in a mirror are reflected in the flat surface of the lake.

The largest among the islands are Klimetsky, Bolshoy Lelikovsky, Suysari. There are wild, uninhabited islands where a human foot rarely sets foot, and there are those that are famous and known to the whole world, such as Kizhi, a nature reserve famous for its wooden monuments of folk architecture, or South Deer, the burial place of the ancient inhabitants of this region. Numerous large and small rivers replenish Lake Onega with their waters.

Among them are Shuya, Suna, Vodla, Andoma, Vytegra. Some of them are stormy, with rapids and waterfalls, others are quiet and calm. The position of its level depends on how much water the rivers bring to the basin of the lake. In the spring, during the melting of snow, the tributaries become high-water, intensely feed the lake. Its level rises until the end of June. The snow reserves in the basins will run out - the river flow will drop sharply, the lake level will begin to gradually decrease.

Summer in Prionezhye is cool, breezes often blow. During the day they blow from the lake to land, and at night they blow in the opposite direction. The lake is rarely calm - only on quiet summer white nights. Lake Onega is amazingly beautiful with its severe northern beauty, especially when its motionless surface is painted with pinkish reflections of the morning dawn. Autumn is a rainy time, with winds, storms, frosts. Storms rage frequently. They swoop in suddenly, raise large waves, break the rafts of the forest, drive logs to the shores. Uncomfortable at this time on the lake.

From November to mid-April, a cold winter reigns in Prionezhye with snowstorms and snowstorms, frosts reach -30-40 degrees. At the beginning of winter, first of all, shallow bays and bays in the northern part of the lake, sheltered from gusts of wind, are covered with ice. The freeze-up gradually spreads to the south, covering all new parts of the lake. Central Lake Onega does not freeze for a long time. In a large mass of its waters there is still a lot of heat, and the winds that walk over the lake help to fight the freeze-up, breaking up the freezing areas.

Only in mid-January, frost conquers the water element, calms it down, dresses it with ice armor. Under the ice cover, Lake Onega sleeps until the beginning of spring. In May, the ice melts.

beautiful northern nature Prionezhie. This is a truly forested region with rich timber resources. Long-staple Karelian spruce grows here, from which excellent quality paper is produced, beautiful furniture, famous all over the world, is made from the famous Karelian birch. There are protected groves here, which Peter the Great bequeathed to his descendants. Moose, bears, wolves, wild boars, lynx, marten, otter, and squirrel are found in the dense Onega forests. The local reservoirs have become the second home of the North American muskrat. There are a great many birds here, including waterfowl; only about 200 species. The owner of the forest jungle is the royal capercaillie.

Forests of Prionezhie - a huge natural berry plantation, where all kinds of berries are presented in abundance northern edge- cranberries, strawberries, cranberries, cloudberries, blueberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries. Lake Onega is also famous for its fish wealth. It is inhabited by all kinds of fish typical for the lakes of Karelia. Perch, whitefish, grayling, smelt, vendace, roach are the most common fish, they can be found in any lake nook. Lamprey is found, for spawning it rises up the tributaries of the lake. Valuable commercial fish live here - salmon and trout.

By the way, the trout was not found in the lake before. She is a gift from Sevan, a guest from sunny Armenia. From there, millions of eggs of this fish were delivered by plane. The famous Sevan trout (ishkhan) took root, and Lake Onega became its second homeland. The Baikal omul also settled here. The lake has always played an important role in human life. It is sung in ancient epic works and in ancient legends. For thousands of years, man has created here original culture, whose material traces have survived to our time.

In one of the most famous museums in the world - the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg - you can see exhibits that tell about the culture and art of the ancient inhabitants of our Motherland. In the center of one of the halls is a huge dark red stone slab; its polished surface is dotted with images of deer, swans, fish, people; here you can see some mysterious signs, in the form of circles and lines. This granite block is a part of Lake Onega. It was broken out on the rocky cape Peri Nos and brought to the Hermitage for public viewing. The exhibit weighs tens of tons.

The drawings carved on the rock, which was brought from the shore of Lake Onega, are about four thousand years old. Neolithic man lived in many parts of the European North. He, obviously, was not very afraid of the winter cold, as evidenced by the remains of ancient settlement sites, found even on the shores of the White and Barents Seas. The collected information enabled scientists to map the settlement of Neolithic man. It clearly shows that in some places the settlements are closely grouped, forming, as it were, peculiar "cities" or densely populated areas.

These include sections of the middle course of the Sukhona River, the shores of the Beloye, Bozhe, Lachi, Onega lakes, the coast of the Onega Peninsula and the Kandalaksha Bay. And yet, of all such places, the shores of Lake Onega were the most inhabited.

The ancient Onega Lake obviously played a special role in the life of Neolithic man. It was here that two greatest monument antiquity: Onega sanctuary and City of dead- Oleneostrovsky burial ground. Several rocky capes jut out into the lake from the eastern shore. Some of them are poorly marked and do not have names, but five other capes are the most famous. These are Karetsky Nos, Peri Nos, Besov Nos, Kladovets and Nazhy Nos. The capes are composed of a dark red layer of granite. Over the centuries, the wind and waves have polished the surface of the coastal rocks, it has become even and smooth. On the rocks, right next to the water, one can see some images carved on the surface of granite. They are invisible and somewhat reminiscent of children's drawings. There are many primitive images of men, deer, birds, frogs, lizards, boats, tools.

The drawings are arranged in groups and singly. Often there are episodes of hunting and fishing. There are images of fantastic animals and birds, and next to them are drawings of real animals. These are petroglyphs (ancient rock paintings), creations of artists of the Stone Age, for which polished coastal rocks served as a canvas, and a flint chisel served as a brush. About six hundred such petroglyphs were discovered on the shores of Lake Onega. Especially a lot of them, and the most diverse, is located on Cape Besov Nos. The locals called these drawings "demonic traces." The area of ​​rock carvings was a natural temple of the ancients, where religious rites and ceremonies were performed. Ancient people were adherents of the cosmic cult, especially the cult of the Sun, as evidenced by the numerous images of this luminary. The ancient inhabitants of the Onega coast had not only a sanctuary for performing religious rites, but also a family tomb where the dead were buried. She is famous in scientific world as the Oleneostrovsky burial ground and is located on the South Deer Island. Curious how the burial took place.

A hole was dug to a depth of about one and a half meters. Its bottom was abundantly sprinkled with red ocher. She was identified with fire and was supposed to scare away the demons of evil. Together with the deceased, objects that belonged to him during his lifetime, including stone axes and knives, spears and arrows, were placed in the pit. Various stone and bone amulets have been found - figures of people and animals; they were the owner's friends: they were supposed to protect from danger, illness, the evil eye, help in hunting and fishing.

Lake Onega has long since faithfully served man. He built a dwelling on the banks, hunted in the coastal forests, and fished in its waters. But the importance of the lake has increased even more in our era, when the paths leading to the near and distant seas cross - the White, Baltic, Caspian, Azov and Black. Three great waterways lead from Lake Onega to the north, west and south; The White Sea-Baltic Canal connects it with the White Sea, and the Volga-Balt (as the Volga-Baltic Waterway is called) connects it with the Baltic Sea and the Volga. Glide through its expanses of water passenger liners, ships, boats and, like giant snow-white birds, "meteors" and "rockets" rush.

On the shores of the lake there are several dozen ports and marinas, and among them the largest are Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga, Medvezhyegorsk, Povenets. Millions of tons of cargo and tens of thousands of passengers are annually transported across the lake. Vessels coming from the Volga or the Baltic to the North cross Lake Onega and approach the city of Povenets. This is where the lake path ends. Then they go along an artificial waterway - the White Sea-Baltic Canal. Lake Onega is located in the center of another waterway - the Volga-Balta. This path starts from the shores of the Baltic Sea, from St. Petersburg, goes along the Neva, the Ladoga canals, the Svir, Lake Onega and the Volga-Baltic Canal.

That's how great is the role of Lake Onega, which lies at the crossroads of large waterways, which are of great national economic importance! This does not exhaust the value of the lake; there are many industries that widely use it Natural resources and, above all, fish resources.

Did you know that pearls are found on the coast of Lake Onega? In the mouth sections of some tributaries, there is a bivalve mollusk, which forms small mother-of-pearl balls ranging in size from a millet grain to a large pea. It takes a lot of work for pearl divers to find among the shells on the silted bottom of the river one in which the treasured pearl has grown. The waters of Lake Onega are used to supply settlements and industrial enterprises - timber processing plants, shipyards, machine-building plants, pulp and paper mills. The coast of the lake is a natural pantry of a wonderful stone.

Multi-color building materials are mined here: red, pink, white and other shades of marble, black and greenish diabase, the famous Shoksha raspberry-colored quartzite, red, dark red and gray granite. A museum-reserve has been created on the island of Kizhi wooden architecture, where many monuments of folk art are collected. There is something to see, something to be sincerely surprised at the famous Onega Lake. Everything here is unusual - both ancient rock paintings, and immortal creations of Russian architects of past centuries, and monumental monuments modern era- settlements that arose from the ashes of conflagrations after the Great Patriotic War - and completely new cities created for last years.

No wonder Lake Onega attracts thousands of visitors from around the world to its shores.

On our beautiful planet there are thousands of reservoirs, each of which is interesting and significant in its own way. We will tell you about Lake Onega - covered in legends, glorified by our famous ancestors, bewitching with its pristine beauty. They say that in winter you can hear the sun rise here, there is such silence around. But in summer, the shores of Lake Onega are drowned in the trills and chirping of hundreds of birds. Once here, it is as if you find yourself in another dimension, where tangible and visible reality is intertwined with history that you can touch with your hand.

Where is Lake Onega located

This reservoir is located in Russia, in the north-west of its European part. Approximately 80% of its area is located on the lands of Karelia, and the remaining 20% ​​is divided between the Leningrad and Vologda regions.

To the Onega Bay, which belongs to the water area White Sea, shortest distance from the lake (through forests and swamps) is 147 km. In 1933, the construction of the White Sea Canal with a length of 227 km was completed. It originates from the village of Povenets, which is located on the shores of the Povenets Bay of the lake, and ends near Belomorsk, a town with a population of about 10 thousand people located in the Soroka Bay of the White Sea. Thus, an exit was created from Lake Onega to the seas of the Northern Arctic Ocean. The nearest neighbor of the described reservoir is Lake Ladoga. In a straight line to it 127 km. The Svir river connects Onega and Ladoga. If you move along its winding channel, you will have to overcome 224 km.

The cities of Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk and Kondopoga, which grew up on its shores, can serve as landmarks for the location of Lake Onega. They are located in the northern part of the reservoir. Its southern shores are sparsely populated. But here the Onega Canal passes, on the way of which there is a small, but fishy Megorskoye Lake.

Historical facts

Studying native nature is extremely interesting. Now scientists have a lot of new technologies in their arsenal, for example, isotope and radionuclide methods, spectral analysis. With their help, it was possible to establish that Lake Onega appeared on the site of a shelf sea 300-400 million years BC. e. (Paleozoic, approximately Carbon-Devon period). It washed the shores of the Baltic - that was the name of the then-existing continent. In those times in sea ​​waters there were many protozoans that had shells. Dying, they sank to the bottom, forming a layer of limestone. In addition, many rivers flowed into the sea, carrying grains of sedimentary rocks with them. Now a layer of limestones, sandstones and clays forms a layer about 200 meters thick in the lake. It lies on a solid foundation of granite, gneiss and diabase, which appeared as a result of volcanic activity.

The origin of Lake Onega is associated with the height of the glacier then reached more than 3 km. Moving, huge white blocks easily plowed the earth's firmament, fundamentally changing the relief. This is also characteristic of the Baltic Shield, on which Lake Onega is located. About 12 thousand years ago, the glacier retreated. The marks left by him filled with water, forming large and small lakes. One of them was named Onego. The exact etymology of the word is unknown, there are only unconfirmed theories. People began to settle on the banks of this reservoir, as evidenced by numerous petrographers that have survived to this day.

Geographic characteristics

This is the second body of water in Europe after Lake Ladoga. Its total area (including all the islands) is 9720 km2, and the coastline stretches for 1542 km. The depth of Lake Onega is different. There are places where it reaches 127 meters, but closer to the coast and in small backwaters it does not exceed 1.5-2 meters. Thus, the average depth of the reservoir is about 30 meters.

The famous lake does not have a regular geometric shape. We can only say that it is somewhat elongated from the northwest to the southeast. In the northern part, there is the Big Onego Bay, which cuts deep into the land. Taking it into account, the maximum length of the reservoir is 245 km, and maximum width- 91.6 km.

coast

Bypassing Lake Onega, you can see that its shores are indented by large and small bays, bays and capes. In addition to Big Onego, there is Small Onego, as well as Povenetsky and Zaonezhsky bays. The bays in the northern waters of the lake are Povenetskaya, Velikaya, Shchepikha, Konda, Petrozavodskaya, Bolshaya Lizhemskaya, Unitskaya, Kondopozhskaya. There is only one lip - Svirskaya.

The appearance of the coast is also different. In the more "wild" south, forests give way to shallows, which are sandy or rocky. Also in this part there are many impregnable rocks and picturesque, but dangerous swamps.

The northern shores are characterized by unusual geological ledges called "ram's foreheads". They are polished by a moving glacier rocks(gneisses, granites), gentle on one side and steep on the other.

Islands

In the European part of Russia, Lake Onega is not only one of the largest, but also a reservoir with a huge number of islands. There are more than 1500 of them here! These areas of land, protruding above the water surface, are large and very tiny, famous throughout the world and unknown to anyone, rocky and covered with dense forests.

The largest island is called Bolshoi Klimetsky. Its area is 147 km2. The natural attraction here is Mount Medvezhitsa, whose height is 82 meters. There are several villages on Bolshoy Klimetsky, there is a secondary school. There are no monuments of nature and history here. Communication with the mainland is carried out by ferry crossing.

The second largest island is called Bolshoy Lelikovsky. It is about 6 times smaller than B. Klimetsky. People also live on this island, but there are no public buildings, except for a small shop.

If you ask what is the most famous island on Lake Onega, any person will immediately name Kizhi. Its area is only 5 km2, its length is 5.5 km, and its width is 1.4 km. You can get around this piece of land in a couple of hours, but the glory of its borders knows no bounds. Here is the museum-reserve of the same name, created on the basis of as well as an architectural ensemble, included in the number of objects world heritage UNESCO. It is an ensemble of two churches (twelve-domed and seven-domed) and a bell tower. According to legend, the church “about 12 chapters” of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built by a local craftsman without a single nail. So that no one could repeat his creation, he threw the ax into the lake.

Another island that I would like to mention is called Suisaari (or Suisari). It rises above the water in the Kondopoga Bay. Island in given time uninhabited, but there is an old village that has the status of a historical monument. Quartz and chalcedony were found on Suisaari, and agates are also found here. Most of the land is occupied by forest, in which even bears are found. The shores of the island are heavily swamped. There are many bird nests in the reeds.

Rivers of Lake Onega

More than 1,000 rivers and streams carry their waters into the reservoir we are describing, and only one river flows out of it - the Svir. It is quite full-flowing, has a length of 224 km, connects the Ladoga and Onega lakes. The width of the Svir can vary from 100 meters to 12 km. The river is navigable. A cascade of hydroelectric power stations was built on it, the largest of which is Verkhnesvirskaya. Svir is interesting in that there is the Storozhensky lighthouse (it is the second in Russia and the seventh in the world in height) and the Nizhnesvirsky reserve.

About 50 rivers flowing into the Onega are over 10 km long. The most famous are Suna, Gimerka, Vodla, Losinka, Chebinka, Neglinka, Anga, Pyalma and others.

Climate

The weather in the area of ​​Lake Onega is windy and changeable. Storms on the reservoir are so frequent that they even dug the Onega Canal in its southern part to ensure safer passage of ships to the Svir River.

Winters here in some years can be mild with temperatures not lower than -4 °C, but more often there are quite noticeable frosts down to -15 °C, and sometimes down to -30 °C. Winter lasts 120 days. In November - December, an ice cover forms in the bays and along the coast, and by mid-January it spreads to the entire lake, except for the most deep places. In some years, the water here remains open all winter.

Strong winds can crack the ice, forming cracks. Then the white blocks crawl one on top of the other. It turns out peculiar mountains several meters high.

The ice breaks by May, but sometimes you can find floating ice floes in June.

The warmest and most suitable months for relaxing here are July and August. The water temperature in shallow water can warm up to +22 °C, but most often reaches +17 °C. The ambient air temperature during the day rises to +30 °C, and the average values ​​are around +20 °C.

The weather in this area is not only windy, but also rainy. The water balance of the lake is replenished by 25% every year due to precipitation. Rain falls steadily throughout the summer.

Flora

Lake Onega is extraordinarily beautiful. Its shores froze in a severe charm. They silently frame the water surface, sparkling in the sun with golden highlights. The water in the lake is so clean and transparent that the bottom can be seen at a depth of 4 meters or more. Some islands and parts of the coast are covered with dense virgin forests of coniferous trees, but deciduous copses are also found here. Spruces, pines, firs, larches are the main higher plants that make up the Onega biome. Only occasionally does a glance catch a birch, an alder and an aspen. Bypassing the environs of Lake Onega, you can find euonymus, honeysuckle, and currants in the undergrowth. Carpets of blueberries and lingonberries spread under your feet, cranberries can be found in the swamps, and the mushroom season opens in the second half of summer.

On swampy shores and shallow waters, the shores are overgrown with reeds and cattails, which is very valuable for many birds. Some bays are adorned with lilies and water lilies, and sour, wintergreen, horsetails and other herbaceous plants grow green on the banks.

Fauna

The surroundings of Lake Onega are full of life. Geese, ducks, swans nest in the reeds. Cranes, terns, eagle owls, grebes, herbalists also fly here. Woodpeckers, jays, tits, and many other small birds live in the forests.

The animal world is also widely represented. Local residents have repeatedly seen hares, squirrels, ermines, and roe deer in the surrounding forests. They say that bears are also found here, because their droppings are often found.

In the expanses of water and on the shores, seals can be observed. They swim here for food. There are a lot of fish in Lake Onega. About 54 species of fish live here, including whitefish, smelt, grayling, pike perch, perch, eel, sabrefish, silver bream, pike, bream and others.

Fishing on Lake Onega is productive at any time of the year. You can fish from the shore and from the water, which is more preferable. The depth of the bays of 40-100 meters allows the use of motorized vessels.

Settlements

The most famous and Big City who grew up on coastline Lake Onega is the capital of Karelia (Petrozavodsk). It is called the city of labor and military glory, historical and cultural center Prionezhsky region. People lived in this area as early as 6000 BC. e., as evidenced by the numerous sites found. But the city itself was founded by Peter I, who founded an arms factory here. Petrozavodsk is interesting for its historical monuments, architectural ensembles and the fact that interesting festivals are held here - "Hyperborea", "Air", "White Nights of Karelia", as well as a sailing regatta.

Kondopoga is another city on the banks of the Onega, located 54 km from Petrozavodsk. It has been mentioned in historical chronicles since 1495. From the 18th century, marble began to be mined near it, which was used to build the palaces of St. Petersburg. In recent years, the city authorities have been actively developing tourism here. Of interest are the Assumption Church, built at the end of the 18th century, but restored twice, two carillons of bells, as well as leisure. The city stands on the banks of the Kondopoga Bay. The depth of Lake Onega here is up to 80 meters, which allows both amateur and commercial fishing. Its species composition in this area of ​​the lake is incredibly rich, and the bite is excellent.

Medvezhyegorsk. This is the northernmost and youngest city on the Onega. Its history began in 1915 with the construction of the railway. station Medvezhya Gora. There are no unique attractions here, but this town is an excellent starting point for traveling along Onega.

On the shores of the lake there are many small towns and villages where tourists can find comfortable conditions for recreation. Among them are Pyalma, Povenets, Pindushi, Shalsky and others.

Ecology

In the northern water area of ​​the lake, environmental indicators are much worse than the southern one. This is due to the fact that about 90% of industry and more than 80% of the population are concentrated here. Every year, thousands of tons of waste are dumped into Lake Onega, including phenols, lead, sulfur oxides, waste reclamation water, and sewage.

Attractions

Interesting places in the vicinity of Lake Onega, several dozen. All of them can be divided into monuments of nature and history. It is more convenient to get to both of them by water. Land routes in many sections are so broken that only an SUV can overcome them.

You can visit the lake not only the island of Kizhi. Of great interest are the petroglyphs concentrated on the eastern shore of the reservoir. There are over 800 drawings here.

Tourists are always taken to Cape Besov Nos. It is famous for its hooked shape, as well as for its many rock paintings that adorn it.

Damn chair. This is an unusual formation in the rock near the village of Solomennoye. The height of the "seat" is 80 meters above sea level, and the height of the "back" is 113 meters. Damn chair formed glaciers. They say that if you sit on its edge and make a wish, it will certainly come true.

The Kivach waterfall on the Suna River was more powerful before the construction of the dam, but even now it fascinates with its power and beauty. There is also a reserve of the same name.

Of the man-made monuments in the vicinity of Onega, there are dozens of ancient functioning and already closed wooden temples. Each one is interesting in its own way. You can select Murom monastery in the village of Pudozh, the Museum of Marcial Waters, the Church of the Great Martyr Barbara.

Rest

Tourists come to the lake to relax both "savage" and civilized. In the first case, there are many possibilities and suitable places for breakdown campground. It is advisable to take into account that best weather they stand here in August, but during the same period there is a massive breeding of mosquitoes and midges.

You can also stay in guest houses, which are now available in almost every coastal village. Mini-hotels will not only offer sleeping area, but also feed, rent a boat and fishing tackle.

Fishing on Lake Onega is the main entertainment for men. Guest houses are ideal for comfortable rest fishermen, because guests have the opportunity to take a steam bath in a Russian bathhouse, cook a catch on the grill, and sleep in a clean bed.

The Marcial Waters sanatorium, which began its work in 1719, operates 55 km from the city of Petrozavodsk. Allergy, skin diseases, cardiovascular system, lungs, joints, bone apparatus, nervous diseases, digestive organs are treated here. Vacationers are offered comfortable rooms with amenities, delicious food. Therapeutic and diagnostic procedures are carried out using modern technologies.

Legends and myths

Lake Onega attracts many mysterious phenomena occurring in its vicinity.

The local population and tourists often see wandering lights, dark figures. Some even hear bells ringing and voices. These phenomena are most often observed in places of mass graves or where there used to be pagan sanctuaries.

There are also many documented cases that occurred in the vicinity of Lake Onega with people and give rise to assumptions that there are time and energy faults here.

The most sensational occurred in 1073 on the island of Bolshoy Klimetsky with A.F. Pulkin, fleet captain, deviator. He grew up in these places, he knows every path here. While fishing on the island, Pulkin went deep into the forest for firewood. The captain came ashore after 34 days. Pulkin could not explain where he had been all this time, and why the rescue teams could not find him.

Another strange story happened to the students. They came to the island to rest. But as soon as their boat moored to the shore, the guys felt an incredible energy impact in the form of vibration and an unpleasant buzz that caused a headache. All this stopped as soon as the students set sail from the shore.

In 2009, an incredible incident happened to the girl Anya (age 6). Her family arrived at Lake Onega to relax as "savages". Dad pitched a tent, lit a fire. Mom made dinner. Anya was playing nearby, but suddenly disappeared. The parents searched all around. The father rushed into the forest, constantly calling his daughter loudly. Mom stayed near the tent. The girl was nowhere to be found. Imagine the amazement of the parents when, after looking into the tent for the tenth time, they saw their daughter peacefully sleeping there. This story ended happily, except for the fact that Anya's eye color changed, curly hair straightened, old moles disappeared and new ones appeared. Parents are also embarrassed that the girl often speaks in a dream in a language unknown to anyone.

There are many similar stories among the locals. Lake Onega, beautiful and majestic, keeps many secrets and is waiting for their discoverers.

The average depth of the lake is 31 m, the maximum depth in the deepest northern part of the lake reaches 127 m. The average depth in the central part is 50-60 m, closer to the south the bottom rises to 20-30 m. bottom depressions. In the northern part of the lake there are many troughs, alternating with high bottom rises, forming banks, on which industrial trawlers often fish. Much of the bottom is covered with silt. Typical forms are luds (shallow stony shoals), selgas (deep-water elevations of the bottom with stony and sandy soils, in the southern part of the lake), underwater ridges and ridges, as well as depressions and pits. Such a relief creates favorable conditions for the life of fish. The regime of Lake Onega is characterized by a spring rise in water, which lasts 1.5-2 months, with an annual water level amplitude of up to 0.9-1 m. The flow from the lake is regulated by the Verkhnesvirskaya hydroelectric power station. Rivers bring up to 74% of the incoming part of the water balance (15.6 km 3 per year), 25% falls on precipitation. 84% of the expenditure part of the water balance falls on the runoff from the lake along the Svir River (an average of 17.6 km 3 per year), 16% - on evaporation from the water surface. The highest water levels of the lake are in June - August, the lowest - in March - April. There are frequent unrest, storm waves reach up to 2.5 m in height. The lake freezes in the central part in mid-January, in the coastal part and in the bays - in late November - December. At the end of April, the mouths of the tributaries are opened, the open part of the lake - in May. The water in the open deep parts of the lake is transparent, with visibility up to 7-8 m. In the bays it is slightly less, up to one meter or less. The water is fresh, with a mineralization of 10 mg/l.

Lake Onega is the second largest freshwater reservoir in Europe. Its area is impressive, in terms of its size this reservoir is second only to the lake. The lake is located in the Republic of Karelia, as well as in Leningrad and Vologda regions. But most of the lake is still located in the Republic of Karelia (80%), the other two regions account for only 20% of the area of ​​this reservoir.

Lake Onega: depth and area

To talk about this reservoir in more detail, you must first say about its size. The area of ​​Lake Onega is 9600 square kilometers, more precisely - 9690 square kilometers. km. This is an impressive number. And I must say that this area is taken without taking into account the islands. If we take into account the islands, then the area of ​​\u200b\u200bLake Onega in sq. km will reach the figure 9720. To better understand the scale of the lake, let's say that its area is equal to the area of ​​​​Cyprus, and this is not at all a small republic.

The average depth of Onega is about 30 meters, and greatest depth is equal to 127 meters. Note that these are very impressive numbers for lakes. About 50 different rivers (and about 1000 different watercourses) flow into Lake Onega, and only one river flows out of the lake - the Svir.

Dimensions of Lake Onega: length and width

The length of the reservoir from north to south reaches 245 kilometers. The largest width of the lake is 92 kilometers. On the banks stands three Karelian cities(Petrozavodsk, which is also Medvezhyegorsk and Kondopoga).

In general, it must be said that the Republic is a large part of the lake, characterized big amount rocks. The shores of the lake are really rocky, sometimes it is very difficult to approach the reservoir precisely because of the rocks.

The meaning of the lake

Almost every local resident will always answer your question about the area of ​​Lake Onega, will be happy to tell you some stories about the reservoir or its sights. For the local population, the reservoir is pride. Dimensions of Lake Onega really impressive. For local residents have something to be proud of. As we have already said, the area Lake Onega in km 2 equivalent to entire countries! Let's get to know him in more detail.

Islands

The total number of islands in Onega is 1650, but not all of them are large. total area of all the islands of the lake is 224 square kilometers. Most famous island- This is Kizhi. It houses a unique museum-reserve of the same name, in which wooden temples of the 18th century have been preserved and restored. Some of them are built without the use of nails or other metal fastening materials.

But Kizhi is not the most big Island lakes, the largest in Lake Onega is Bolshoy Klimenetsky, its area is 147 square kilometers (more than half the area of ​​all lakes of Lake Onega). Bolshoy Klimenetsky Island has its own settlement, there is even a school here.

If you call others major islands, then it is necessary to mention Bolshoy Lelikovsky, as well as the island of Suisar and South Deer. The nature on all the islands is very colorful, bright and special in its own way, like the entire Republic of Karelia, where most of the lake is located (we have already said this).

Flora and fauna of the island

Some shores of Lake Onega are very rocky, but most of the shores of the lake are low and often swampy. They also often flood when the water level in the lake rises. This can explain the fact that there are only three cities on the lake.

Along the banks of Onega, as well as on almost all of its islands, ducks, geese, swans and other water birds often nest in reeds and reed beds. Almost the entire coastal area of ​​the lake is occupied by dense coniferous forests, some of them are still untouched by human hands and are in a virgin state.

There is evidence that seals are sometimes observed in Lake Onega. In general, it must be said that fish, as well as various invertebrates, are represented in the lake in a wide variety. We emphasize that among the invertebrates there are a significant number of relics of the ancient ice age.

Returning to the fish of the lake, we note that they are found here:

• sterlet;
• lake salmon;
• trout (lake and stream);
• palia (ludnaya and pit);
• zander;
• pike;
• perch;
• vendace (including vendace-kilets);
• grayling;
• smelt;
• roach;
• lamprey (river and stream).

And that's not all, because in the lake there are no less than 47 species and varieties of freshwater fish, which belong to 13 families. Fishing on the Onega is a special chic and a way to find inner harmony with nature. Moreover, fishing is possible on the lake at any time of the year.

Ecology

IN modern world with outdated wastewater treatment systems, nothing good can be expected in terms of ecology. In the last decade, the impact on the lake ecosystem has only increased. Special damage is inflicted on the northwestern and northern parts lakes. Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga and Medvezhyegorsk industrial centers are located in this area. It should also be said that about 80% of the population lives in this area, the industrial potential of the basin here generally reaches 90%.

But recently there has been a tendency to modernize treatment facilities and invest serious investments in this business (both from the local budget and from federal funds). I would like to believe that this unique lake will not be left to the mercy of fate and will not become the center of man's neglect of nature.

Economic importance

The lake is navigable, and it is a large part of the waterway, which is included in the Volga-Baltic waterway, as well as the White Sea-Baltic Canal. Also, the lake is a link for the basins of the Baltic, Caspian and northern seas.

The system of channels and rivers allows you to send any cargo from the capital of the republic (the city of Petrozavodsk) to any countries located in the coastal sea zone. These are countries from Germany to Iran. We also mention that there is an artificially dug channel, which is located along south coast Onega (from the Svir River to the river called Vytegra).

There are two ports on the shores of Lake Onega (Petrozavodsk capital port and the city of Medvezhyegorsk), in addition, there are five marinas and several small stopping points for ships.

There is currently no regular year-round passenger service on the lake. But there is a regular service several times a day during navigation between Petrozavodsk and Kizhi Island, as well as between Petrozavodsk and the Great Bay. Tourist boats and the so-called "meteors" are involved here. Also, according to the latest information, there is a connection between Petrozavodsk and Shala.

From some interesting events lakes, we note that since the distant 1972 Lake Onega annually (in summer, in July) hosts the country's largest Onega sailing regatta. This is an open national sailing championship among yachts (cruising). There are no other organized competitions, although the area of ​​Lake Onega allows it. This is explained by the weak development of tourism in the region.

Kizhi Island

The main attraction of Lake Onega is Kizhi Island, more precisely, the museum-reserve of the same name, which is located here. There are currently almost 90 monuments on the territory of the museum island. wooden architecture times of the XV-XX centuries.

The center of Kizhi Island is architecture (built in the 18th century), it is a 20-domed Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, as well as a 9-domed Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and a bell tower. In 1990, Kizhi Island was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the pride of our entire country!

Onega petroglyphs

Rock carvings, which are called Onega petroglyphs, are located on eastern shores Lake Onega. Scientists believe that their age is in the range of 4-2 thousand years BC. Petroglyphs are arranged in groups. In total, they occupy a stretch of coast approximately 21 km long or even more. Their total number is approximately 1200 different figures and signs. Petroglyphs have not been fully studied and from time to time new rock paintings are discovered. It seems that many more secrets are hidden by the shores of Lake Onega. Its area allows it to do so.

To understand the scale of Lake Onega, you need to see it with your own eyes. Come fishing in Karelia or just relax here from the hustle and bustle of megacities, breathe in the clean northern air. You will fall in love with these places forever, and you will come back here again and again. Lake Onega will captivate and enchant. Photographers will also like Karelia. It's incredible here beautiful landscapes that will not leave indifferent a creative person. Tourists will also appreciate the lake, especially those who love beautiful open spaces. Rest in Karelia is also a great pastime, clean air, beautiful nature.

This reservoir has an interesting shape - towards the north it stretches with tentacles-bays, its shores are dotted with many headlands, there are also islands overgrown with lush vegetation. Lake Onego is the second largest freshwater reservoir in Europe, it is sometimes compared with the majestic Ladoga and is called its younger sister.

As you know, it is almost twice as large as Onega, but they were formed at the same time.

The history of the origin of the lake

On the surface of the Earth, this reservoir appeared as soon as the last glaciers retreated and melted, filling huge pits with the purest water that existed long before the formation of the glaciers themselves. Scientists claim that the reason for their appearance was faults and shifts in the earth's crust in ancient geological eras.

The deep waters of this mysterious lake saw many amazing creatures that settled here many thousands of years ago. Who knows, perhaps their descendants still live at the bottom of the reservoir.

The lake has an oblong shape, its maximum length, taking into account the mouths of the rivers flowing into it, is 245 km. Its widest part is 91 km long.

About 50 rivers flow into this reservoir, while only one flows out - the Svir. The maximum depth of the reservoir reaches 107 meters, while the average depth is 30 meters. In terms of purity and transparency of water, Onego is comparable only with the famous one.

Coastline

The reservoir deservedly enjoys unprecedented popularity among tourists who like to explore the remote corners of the country. It is worth noting that the two parts of the lake are strikingly different from each other in the outline of the shores and their structure.

The southern part (the so-called Central Onega Lake) is a wide stretch. It is here that the greatest depths are concentrated, and the shores amaze with their diversity - these are rocks and sandbars, and swamps.

Nature itself divided the northern part of the reservoir into two picturesque bays, which are called the Small and Big Onega Lakes. They stretched out towards the north, cutting their cold waters into the southern edge of the Baltic Crystalline Shield. Thanks to excellent natural conditions, is well developed here.

Islands of Lake Onega

The surface of the beautiful Lake Onega is literally dotted with numerous islands. In total there are more than 1.5 thousand of them - large and small, rocky and covered with vegetation. The largest are the islands of Bolshoy Lelikovsky, Klimetsky, Suysari. One of the most famous among them - protected island Kizhi, known for its unique monuments of folk architecture.

Some of the islands are wild, they are rarely trodden by a human foot. Many islands attract travelers with an excellent opportunity to spend time alone with nature and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of the Karelian region.

Due to the huge number and variety of fish, the best in life can be organized here. The waters of the lake are especially rich in such species of fish as grayling, whitefish, perch, vendace, roach, smelt. There are also lampreys and valuable commercial species such as trout and salmon.

In addition to the trout brought from the Armenian city of Sevan, the Baikal omul has perfectly taken root here, spreading throughout the reservoir. The picturesque shores of Lake Onega and its many islands will be a great place for those who are interested in the real one.

Mysteries of Lake Onega

The famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg has an interesting exposition, which is a huge piece of stone slab weighing several tens of tons. This gigantic block was once part of Lake Onega, or rather, its rocky cape Peri Nos.

Literally the entire surface of the granite slab is covered with ancient images of swans, deer, fish and people. In addition to living figurines, numerous signs in the form of lines and circles can be seen on the stone. What they mean is still a mystery.

Scientists have established that the age of the rock paintings of Lake Onega is 4 thousand years. The shores of this reservoir have always been inhabited by people, as evidenced by the finds found in different places remnants of their ancient sites.

On the banks of the Onego there are the most unique monuments of antiquity - this is the Oleneostrovsky burial ground (City of the Dead) and the Onega sanctuary. Surely there are others here. Amazing places as yet inaccessible to humans. Solving the ancient mysteries of the lake is a great reason to start to its shores.

How to relax on the lake

It is famous for its unique corners of nature, where everyone can relax and gain strength. Lake Onega is one of such places.

It is worth coming here with families or friends, but even single travelers will have something to do in this wonderful land. There are excellent conditions for all lovers of an active lifestyle. Exciting hikes, picking berries and mushrooms - all this is available to travelers.