The most famous island in Lake Onega. lake onega lake

Its area with the islands, according to Strelbitsky, is 9751.1 km2

Lake Onega elongated along a north-northwest line and maximum length it between the Black Sands in the south and the mouth of the Kumsa in the north reaches 220 km, and the greatest width from Logm Lake to the Pudozhsky churchyard is 86 km. The height of the lake is about 45 m. According to the nature of the structure, Lake Onega can be divided into two parts by a line running from Petrozavodsk to the mouth of the Vodla River. The entire southern part of the lake is one vast basin with a slightly winding coastline, while the northern part has the character of skerries: here the lake branches into many narrow and long bays, maintaining a general direction from north-northwest to south-southeast. This nature of the shores significantly increases the length of the coastline of the lake, reaching up to 1,280 kilometers.

The shores of Lake Onega are mostly elevated. In its northern and western parts are covered, the southern part of the banks is low and especially near the mouth of the Vytegra River. East coast sandy in the southern and middle parts, formed by the deposits of the lake itself; three terraces can be traced inland here; further north East Coast the lake becomes elevated and is composed of solid. The nature of the structure of the northwestern part of the lake, with its narrow bays, elongated from the northwest to the southeast and separated by the same narrow and long ridges, serves as one of the confirmations of the spread of an extensive cover here during the ice age.

Lake Onega in Medvezhyegorsk

Lake Onega receives a number of tributaries, of which the most significant flow into it from the southeast and east - these are the Vodla, Andoma and Vytegra rivers. Taking, in addition, many more rivers and streams that serve as the sources of a whole mass of lakes surrounding Lake Onega, the latter forms an extensive water basin, occupying up to 58,328 square meters. kilometers. The only source of all this mass of water is the Svir River, which flows out of the southwestern end of the lake and flows into Ladoga, entering, together with the latter, into the system of the Neva river basin. Lake Onega, occupying an intermediate position between and, could play a big role in the inland waterway between and, if there was a navigable connection with the latter.

Coastline differs sharply in character in its southern and northern parts. As already mentioned above, in the first part the coasts are slightly indented and there are no deeply protruding bays. On the contrary, the northern and northeastern parts of the lake are replete with bays, and, just as it is seen in Ladoga. A particularly large tortuosity of the coastline begins at Petrozavodsk and ends at Povenets. All the most significant bays are located along this stretch of the coast; of these, the most notable are the following six:

To the north-west of Petrozavodsk, a vast bay of the same name stretches, which, together with Lake Logmo, which forms its continuation, reaches 17 km. length; at the entrance it has about 7 km. width; near the entrance there are several islands from the south and from the north.

Further north is a large bay Kondopazhskaya, extending deep into the mainland for 30 km. The width of the entrance is about 7 km, but it narrows to 5 km. the island of Suisari. Like the Petrozavodsk Bay, Kondopazhskaya Bay also has lakes as its continuation, stretched in that direction. The Suna River flows into the western part of the bay, on which famous waterfall Kivach.

Lizhma Bay- a narrow and long bay, jutting out into the mainland for 35 kilometers; its width at the entrance is about 5 km., in some places it narrows to several hundred meters between the islands, of which there are quite a lot. The river Lizhma flows into it.

Unitskaya Bay, up to 45 km long. and a width of 6 km. up to several hundred meters. Guba is occupied by a whole archipelago of islands.

Guba Velikaya, jutting out for 20 kilometers into the Zaonezhie peninsula; the width at the entrance to the bay reaches 9-10 km. Several islands are located in the southwestern wider part.

Povenets Bay- this is the name of the entire north-eastern part of the lake, separating the Zaonezhie peninsula from the mainland. Its greatest width is opposite the city of Povenets, where it reaches 20 km. Three more very narrow and long bays (up to 20 km long, 2 km wide and less) separate from this bay, extending far into the northeastern part of the Zaonezhie peninsula.

Peninsulas and islands. Due to the long and narrow bays of the northwestern part of the lake, there is no shortage of peninsulas, of which the most significant lies between the Unitskaya Bay and the Povenetsky Bay. Its length, counting from the top of the Unitskaya Bay, is up to 70 km, and its maximum width is up to 32 km. The width of the isthmus connecting it with the mainland is about 10 km. In addition to the Great Bay and three others that separate from the Povenets Bay, the interior of the peninsula is cut by several more narrow and long lakes stretched parallel to all the bays of this part of the lake.

There are many islands, but they are all located in its northern part: the largest of them is Klimetsky, at the southeastern tip of Zaonezhye. It is about 24 km long. and about 7 km wide. Of the others are remarkable: Kizh, Kerk, Deer, Sennogubsky, Suisari. Some islands, especially Klimets, are quite densely populated.

Onega lake. Great Guba

According to the works, the line is 21 meters deep, following, in general, quite close to the outline of the shores, and is significantly removed from them at the southwestern tip of the lake. Then this line completely leaves aside: the Unitskaya Bay, the strait between the island of Klimetsky and Zaonezhie, the Velikaya Bay and the middle part of the Povenets Bay. Inside this isobath, in the northern part of the southern, wide half of the lake, a vast area is occupied by a basin with depths of 9–12 meters, in the middle of which there are several places with depths reaching 14.2–14.5 meters.

Nai great depths occur to the north of the line Petrozavodsk - the mouth of the Vodla River. Here is the greatest depth of 124 m. And further to the north there are several more depressions with depths of 111, 115.5 and even 132.5 meters. These depths are located between Zaonezhie and the mainland. It should be noted that everything with the greatest depths both in the northern and in southern parts lakes are elongated along the direction characteristic of Lake Onega from the north-north-west to the south-south-east. Then significant depths are still found in the northernmost tip of the Povenets Bay, where they reach up to 92.4 meters.

Water level and current. The correct annual fluctuations in the level of Lake Onega are insignificant: the largest level difference measured so far (in 20 years) is 1.8 meters. These studies did not show the existence of any regular currents in the lake. In the middle, pelagic part, they depend on the direction of the blowers, taking on a constant character of the current only at the mouths of the rivers flowing into the lake and against the mouth of the Svir River - the source of the lake.

Opening and freezing. There are very few observations on this issue: at Ascension, the average opening occurs on May 5, at Petrozavodsk, too, and freezing at Ascension on December 22, at Petrozavodsk on November 26. The average number of days of ice-free surface for the first point is 231, for the second - 205. In winter, the lake is covered with a continuous ice cover, along which there is communication across the lake. The duration of navigation is, of course, somewhat less than the number of ice-free days.

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 on it retreated and melted, filling the purest water huge pits 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 - reserved 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 found that age rock paintings Lake Onega - 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 are located the most unique monuments antiquity - this is the Oleneostrovsky burial ground ( City of 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

Famous for its unique corners 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.

Powerful and majestic, with long coastlines and many tributaries, Lake Onega is located in Karelia.

The lake is located in the European part of Russia and is considered the second largest freshwater reservoir, after Ladoga. Most of the lake went to the Republic of Karelia, about 80% of the entire reservoir was located there, and the remaining 20% ​​went to the Leningrad and Vologda regions. Lake Onega belongs to the basin Baltic Sea Atlantic Ocean.

Characteristics of Lake Onega

lake area

The reservoir has a coastline of 1542 kilometers, total area 9720 km². The maximum depth is 127 meters, although the average depth for the lake is about 30 meters.

The length from south to north is 245 kilometers, and the largest width of the coastal zone is 92 meters.

(Map and scheme of Lake Onega)

Lake water temperature

The water temperature in Lake Onega during the warm periods of the year (starting from May) varies from +5 to +13 degrees. In August, if the summer turned out to be extremely successful and warm, then in shallow water the water temperature will be about +17 degrees. However, above +22, the water in Lake Onega has not yet heated up.

During the cold periods of the year, starting from September, the lake cools down. After a hot summer, the temperature slowly drops, in October and November it reaches +2 degrees. And with the onset of frost, it decreases to 0 or -2.

(Air temperature on Lake Onega in winter and summer)

The air temperature here does not warm up above +30 degrees, even if it is sunny weather long time. The highest temperature mark recorded on the territory of the lake is +35 degrees. The warmest period is July, when the air warms up to +17 degrees.

During the winter months average temperature air varies from -7 to -13 degrees. The absolute minimum recorded in this area was -42 degrees.

Svir river

Connected with a water thread, 224 km long, the Svir River two large lakes Onega with Ladoga. The river begins its movement from the Onega and changes in its channel from 100 m in the narrowest places and up to 12 km in width of the Ivinsky spill, then the river flows in the lowlands, occupied in the past by glaciers and flows into Ladoga lake. In the Ivinsky spill, the river passes through the created Verkhnesvirsky reservoir, with an area of ​​183 sq. km with a hydroelectric dam. The river contains 30 islands, in the same place in the Leningrad region along the banks of the river there is the Nizhne-Svirsky Reserve.

Nature of Lake Onega

Lake Onega is characterized low banks. Therefore, there are areas of land on coastal zone which are completely swamped. However, such conditions do not prevent the development of flora and fauna, which is abundant both in the reservoir itself and around it.

The highest form of vegetation is the least common on the territory of Onega; it can be found only in protected areas. nooks and crannies in the northern part. But here reeds and reeds, growing in an even line along the coastal zone, feel good. In some places you can find water lilies, sedge, pondweeds, egg capsules, horsetails. Also, coastal areas are rich in dense taiga forests.

The fauna located on the territory of the Onega reservoir does not suffer from the conditions either. In total, more than 350 different forms and species live on its territory. Starting from the simplest forms, aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks and sea sponges, and ending with seals.

If we talk about feathered friends, then waterfowl nest on the lake - geese, gulls, ducks and swans. Often on migration there are such species as cranes, eagle owls, short-eared owls, herbalists, grebes, terns, shepherds.

Fish of Lake Onega: 1) Lake salmon; 2) Trout; 3) Paliya; 4) Vendace

Also, there are more than 45 species of fish that belong to 13 families. The species that can turn up for a fisherman are: salmon, lake and river trout, catfish, eel, ruff, pike perch, dace, crucian carp, sabrefish, rudd, smelt, roach, pike, silver bream, loach, sterlet, vendace, palia, whitefish, ide, perch and grayling. The most common of them are perch, bream, pike perch, smelt, pike, vendace and ruff, and the least common are whitefish, grayling, palia, catfish and dace.

Cities on Lake Onega

The coastal strip of Lake Onega is densely populated, although it does not have million-plus cities on the shore. The entire coastal zone is dotted with small villages and settlements. Most of the villages are located in the southern and western parts lakes.

The largest of the populations are the cities: Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk, Vytegra and Kondopoga, and if we take into account the urban settlement, then the list can be supplemented by the villages of Povenets, Voznesenye, Shalsky and Pindushi.

If you are traveling through the territory of the Onega reservoir, be sure to visit Petrozavodsk. The capital of the Republic of Karelia has a large number of architectural monuments, for example, the building of the old men's provincial gymnasium or the ensemble of the Round Square. Do not forget to visit Kizhi Island as well. Its main attraction is the historical, architectural and ethnographic museum-reserve.

Climate and seasons of Lake Onega

(Winter rotunda on the embankment of Lake Onega, Petrozavodsk)

In general, winter on Lake Onega is mild, air and water temperatures are acceptable even for desperate bathers who want to harden themselves. However, it is often too windy on the territory of the reservoir, the cold subarctic climate carries an abundance of air masses. In winter, this results in long blizzards and snowstorms, and in summer - in a storm.

When continental anticyclones come from the south and east, dry and hot weather sets in in the spring-summer period, and sunny and clear days in winter.

Summer on Lake Onega is distinguished by picturesque places. Almost the entire coastal strip in Karelia looks like a colorful picture that has come to life, and under the warm rays of the sun, the landscape seems completely fabulous. However, in the summer, there are often precipitations on Onega, most of the norm (about 70%) falls precisely from May to August.

Lake Onega can be attributed to the treasures of Karelia, which attracts thousands of tourists from different cities.

Lake Onega is the second largest freshwater lake in Europe. Its other name sounds like Onego, which is no coincidence. There are several opinions about the reasons for the appearance of the name. From the point of view of scientists, the reservoir got its name from the river flowing next to it. Another opinion is due to the fact that in the area where the reservoir is located, there are often fogs, and therefore, it received the name Onego - translated from the ancient Finnish, smoking lake. About 1000 rivers flow into Lake Onega, and only one flows out - the Svir.

Its area is approximately 9.9 thousand square meters. km. Depth varies in different areas. In the northern part, the depth is 127 m, and closer to the south it is only 20-30 m. In the spring, Lake Onega is characterized by a rise in water, which lasts for 1.5-2 months. Storms are frequent. The weather is unpredictable, calm can instantly change into a storm. In some parts of the lake, the water is so clear that it can be seen to a depth of 8 m. The water is of high quality.

Lake Onega is especially popular among fishermen. Which is not at all surprising, because it is famous for its fish wealth. Various fish live in it, including valuable commercial ones, such as trout, salmon. In total, 47 species of fish live in the reservoir. In addition, in the mouths of some tributaries of Lake Onega, there is a bivalve mollusk that forms pearls the size of a pea. In search of a precious ball, pearl divers come to the pond, but finding a pearl is not a small effort.

Lake Onega is very surprising with its shape, shore structure, complex bottom topography, water quality, picturesque bays, mesmerizing sunsets and dawns. Sunsets and sunrises are especially mesmerizing. The shores are mostly sandy, but there are also rocky and even swampy shores. In the middle of the lake there are a lot of islands, in total there are about 1500 islands, among which there are wild ones, covered with dense forests, some of the islands are inhabited by people.

The average depth of the lake is 31 m, maximum depth in the deepest northern part of the lake it 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. Lake Onega is characterized by numerous pronounced rises and falls of the bottom. 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.