Lake Ladoga: description, depth, photo. Fishes of Lake Ladoga. Depth map - Lake Ladoga Depth maps of reservoirs Lake Ladoga

Europe is famous for its beauty and attractiveness. Its nature has more than once become the property of songs and legends, fairy tales and poems, essays and stories. Among all the diversity, water spaces stand out. Lake Ladoga is a bright representative. Its main difference from other water bodies is the rich flora and fauna.

general characteristics

Lake Ladoga is called the largest in all of Europe. Its area exceeds 18 thousand square kilometers. It is interesting that 457 kilometers of water area are occupied by the islands of Lake Ladoga, which in themselves are not so large. For example, the area of ​​the largest land areas located in the middle of the lake surface does not exceed one hectare. And in total there are more than 650 of them. Nature has placed the islands so that over 500 of them are located in the northwestern part of the lake.

The rocky islands have a bizarre shape and unusual outlines. Their height is 60-70 meters. It is especially interesting to observe the harmonious combination of coastline and island lines. The islands are separated from each other by numerous bays that cut into land areas.

Mother Nature has worked for thousands of years on the artistic and aesthetic design of this corner of the globe. Lake Ladoga is one of the oldest water bodies. In its lifetime, it has seen a lot and experienced amazing events, which can be judged by the numerous remnants and remains on its banks and bottom.

New research has made it possible to find out more accurate parameters of the water body. Lake Ladoga stretches 83 kilometers wide and 219 kilometers long. Without the island territory, it occupies a total of 17,578 square kilometers, which allows it to be called the largest European lake.

The length of the coastline exceeds one and a half thousand kilometers. Scientists were able to calculate the coefficient of its ruggedness. It is 2.1, which suggests the presence of multiple bays. The bowl of the lake is distinguished by its impressive capacity, which is 908 cubic kilometers.

Lake depth

The average depth of Lake Ladoga is 51 meters. However, if we talk about the largest, the figure already grows to 230 meters. The depth map of Lake Ladoga also shows impressive indicators. It usually marks the areas that are considered the deepest.

The bottom topography is heterogeneous. Therefore, it is not surprising that the depth of Lake Ladoga varies throughout its entire water area. For example, in the southern part the bottom is flat and smooth. This helps reduce the depth. The decrease is observed from north to south. In the northern part, the depth reaches 10-100 meters, and in the southern part this value is an order of magnitude lower and varies in the range from 3 to 7 meters. The bottom is distinguished by rocky spits and shallows, and you can even find clusters of boulders.

Bottom relief

In general, such differences in depth are explained by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the bottom. Which, in turn, is due to its impressive length. The geological structure also leaves its mark on the lake basin and its appearance. Interestingly, the bottom topography seems to resemble islands. He copies them exactly. Thus, at the bottom of the lake you can observe mountains and plains, depressions and potholes, hills and slopes.

Depressions up to 100 meters deep most often predominate. There are more than 500 of them in the northwestern part of the lake. Interestingly, such formations are concentrated in groups. And they, in turn, create a kind of labyrinth of bays. This phenomenon is called skerry. The depth map of Lake Ladoga allows you to verify this.

The slope of the lake has an average of 0.0105, and the angle averages 0.35 degrees. This value near the northern coast is already 1.52 degrees, and near the eastern coast it is 0.03. This is also considered a fairly important indicator.

Animal world

In a country like Russia, Lake Ladoga plays a huge role. It is called the supplier of drinking water for the northern capital of the state - St. Petersburg. However, in addition to this, Ladoga is home to a huge number of different animals. The main place among them, of course, is occupied by fish.

Today, more than 58 varieties and species of fish are known to exist in the waves of Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that there are also those who are “guests” in Ladoga. These include conger eel, Baltic salmon and sturgeon. They only occasionally swim into the waters of the lake. Their permanent habitat is the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic.

Unfortunately, due to the massive fishing of fish today, not all of its former inhabitants remain alive in Ladoga. Sometimes representatives of the fish kingdom disappear for no apparent reason. For example, sterlet. It no longer occurs in Ladoga waters, and researchers have never discovered the reason for this.

New species

But new inhabitants appeared in the lake. They are represented by peled and carp. The latter appeared in Ladoga relatively recently - in 1952-1953. The reason for this was that it was bred in the nearby Lake Ilmen. The fate of the peled was similar. It “wandered” to Ladoga from the Karelian Isthmus, where they began actively breeding it in the late 50s of the last century.

In addition, in the waters you can also find such fish as palia, salmon, pike perch, whitefish, bream, trout, ripus and vendace. They are distinguished by their value in the field of industry. These species are called commercial. There are also less valuable inhabitants of the lake. Among them are roach, smelt, pike, ruffe, blue bream, bleak and silver bream. They are considered no less tasty, but their use in food is represented in smaller quantities.

It is probably impossible to really name all the fish that are found in the waters of Lake Ladoga. There are so many inhabitants there that work to discover and study them continues to this day.

On the verge of extinction

Some fish of Lake Ladoga are now on the verge of extinction. Among them there are those that are considered valuable in the industrial field. The clearest example is salmon. In Ladoga there are individuals whose weight exceeds 10 kilograms. They are real giants. Interestingly, the fish go to spawn in late spring and summer. The young live there for no more than a couple of years, and then return to the lake.

The rivers are now clogged with lumber, making it difficult for salmon to spawn. In this regard, it was decided to suspend mass fishing. The corresponding law was passed back in 1960.

Another valuable fish is palia. She lives in the northern part of the lake. In winter it can be found at a depth of more than 70 meters, and in the warm months it rises to 20-30. Reproduction occurs in mid-autumn.

Whitefish also live in Ladoga. Now there are seven varieties of them in the lake. Four of them, namely lake Ladoga, Ludog, black and Valaam, are considered exclusively riverine, and the other three - Svir, Vuoksa and Volkhov - can live both in the lake and in the river. On average, during the breeding season, each individual lays about nine thousand eggs in October and November.

Just recently, people were massively engaged in catching whitefish, but now this species is on the verge of extinction. A peculiar reason for this can be called the construction of the Volkhov hydroelectric power station dam. Pisces were unable to overcome such an obstacle, and the measures people took to achieve this did not save the situation.

Rivers of Lake Ladoga

Now let's talk about waterways.

The rivers of Lake Ladoga are very numerous. This allows us to talk about its wide drainage basin. Its area exceeds 250 thousand square kilometers. Not every lake can boast such figures.

Finland and Karelia, located nearby, share water resources with Ladoga; rivers also carry their waves from the Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda lands. The water bodies of the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad regions make their contribution.

In total, about 45 thousand streams and rivers flow into Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that before becoming part of Ladoga, river waters accumulate in nearby lakes, including Saimaa, Onega and Ilmen. They, in turn, allow the formation of such tributaries of the main Ladoga as the Volkhova, Vuokse and Svir. In total, they bring more than 57 cubic kilometers of water into the lake per year. This accounts for approximately 85 percent of the total water mass that accumulates in the geographic area we are considering per year.

All other tributaries are called small. There is no explanation for this, because among them there are such impressive deep rivers as Janisjoki, Syas and Tulemajoki.

It should be understood that the tributaries of the Ladoga are quite young - by the standards of rivers - in age. They are only 10-12 thousand years old. That is why most of them have not yet formed wide valleys. They flow among rocky areas and steep banks.

The Baltic crystalline shield lies in the northeastern part of the lake. That is why the deepest and loudest tributaries flow into Ladoga from that side. Very often they turn into full-flowing stormy streams, encountering rocks on their way that are quite difficult to erode.

Tributary Svir

Lake Ladoga is located in Russia, and its deepest stream is called the Svir. This river flows from the Svirskaya Bay of Lake Onega, and flows into Ladoga from the southeast.

Its length is about 224 kilometers. The river includes two large tributaries, which are named Pasha and Oyat. It is interesting that the origin of this object is still covered in secrets and mysteries.

The Svir River itself and its banks are not distinguished by the picturesqueness inherent in Ladoga. The description of Lake Ladoga tells about the amazing beauty of its shores, which Svir cannot boast of. Its coastline is covered with alder bushes and marshy plants, and there are coniferous forests. Basically, the banks of the Svir River are accumulations of stones and boulders.

In ancient times, Svir was famous for its numerous rapids. They could not be called high, but the piles of boulders presented a serious obstacle to navigation. Local residents very often helped out the sailors, helping them cope with crossings. Very often, residents of coastal villages and towns themselves served as sailors, pilots and even captains. The proximity to a deep river left its mark on the character and way of life of the people.

But if we talk about the animal world, it is quite large. It is in the waters of this river that salmon spawning is often observed. In spring you can find schools of these fish heading to the mouth of the Svir. The tributaries Oyat and Pasha play the main role in spawning. Ichthyologists believe that it is these rivers that can contribute to the revival of salmon in Lake Ladoga.

When to visit

Over its centuries-old history, Lake Ladoga has been shrouded in secrets, riddles and legends. All this, of course, attracts numerous tourists. People also travel to Ladoga to admire the amazing beauty of nature and see with their own eyes one of the largest lakes in the world.

In order not to make a mistake, you should know when it is better to go and what time to give preference.

A trip here in May and June will be foggy in the truest sense of the word. At the end of May and beginning of June, thick fogs descend on Ladoga, in which it is quite easy to get lost. In such cases, it is very important to take experienced guides with you who will help you get on the right path and see all the surrounding beauty.

This time is considered quite cold for those places. In the evening, the skerries can be covered with a thin crust of ice, and the wind brings dampness. Of particular interest are the few hours after sunny weather. At such moments, the lake shines with calm and attractiveness. However, the very next moment a breeze blows in. It causes meter-long waves in the bays, although the lake off the coast continues to be peaceful.

One of the most striking advantages of this time, of course, after the attractive appearance of the coastal area, is the complete absence of mosquitoes. The extraordinary cleanliness of the lake is also called a virtue. The bottom, even at a depth of several meters, can be seen extremely clearly. It is believed that if you drink water at such a moment, happiness will not take long to arrive. The water itself is clean and tasty.

Those people who value comfort and coziness should visit Ladoga in the last two months of summer. This period is considered the best for proper rest. In this case, the air and water temperatures exceed the optimal mark, allowing you to swim in the waves of the lake and sunbathe on the shore. On the islands you can pick berries and mushrooms, which are abundant there.

Those people who travel to Ladoga with the aim of admiring the local beauty should choose the autumn months, when literally the entire coast shimmers with gold and bronze. In October, the weather worsens, accompanied by fog and storms. At such times you can meet many artists and landscape painters here. They try to capture the lush beauty of Ladoga.

Lake Ladoga in winter also presents an interesting sight. However, it is quite cold here at this time of year. But the middle of the lake does not freeze even in severe frosts due to its impressive depth.

Those people who want to visit this corner of our vast Motherland should look for Lake Ladoga on the map. Many travel companies offer entire routes. If you wish, you can choose one of the proposed ones or create your own.

A trip to the coast of Lake Ladoga will surely be memorable for everyone. This area is distinguished by the amazing beauty of nature at any time of the year, the diversity of flora and fauna, as well as the opportunity to have a great rest.

Lake Ladoga is one of the largest in Russia, moreover, it is the largest freshwater lake in all of Europe.

Description of the lake:

  • area – 18135 km 2 (taking into account the area of ​​all islands);
  • length – 219 km;
  • maximum width – 138 km;
  • coastline length – 1570 km;
  • location areas - in Karelia (northern and eastern parts) and in the Leningrad region (western and southern parts);
  • water capacity - 908 km 3;
  • maximum depth – 233 m;
  • average annual water temperature – +3.5 o C;
  • the minimum air temperature - -54.1 o C, was recorded in January 1940 on the coast near the city of Olonets (Karelia);
  • maximum air temperature – +32.4 o C – in August 1932;
  • islands of Lake Ladoga - over 650;
  • number of flowing rivers – 32;
  • The river flowing from Lake Ladoga is the Neva.

In the waters of the lake there are a large number of islands that have an area of ​​more than one hectare. The main part of them is grouped on the Valaam archipelago. The most famous island is Konevets. There is a 600-year-old Orthodox monastery here.

History of origin and significance for the country in different eras

According to scientists, Lake Ladoga arose as a result of the melting of the Valdai glacier. This happened over several thousand years, and was finally freed from ice about 10,300 years ago. At the bottom, about 9,000 years ago, silt began to accumulate, at the same time the water level dropped significantly: within 400 years it fell by 18 meters.

The modern lake is also not characterized by stable water levels - recently there has been a downward trend. Local residents have a legend that the water mass rises within 7 years - these are favorable years for coastal cities and villages. The next seven years - the water goes away - this indicates the onset of difficult times. There is some truth in this interpretation - scientists also note fluctuations in the level of the water mass at intervals of 5–6 years.

Lake Ladoga has been known to indigenous people since time immemorial; the first mention dates back to 1228 in the ancient Russian chronicle. It was recorded on the first map of the Moscow State in 1544. The lake has always been of strategic importance for the country:

  • in the 9th century it was part of the path “from the Varangians to the Greeks”;
  • the shore of the lake was the location of a military flotilla of Novgorodians;
  • During the Northern War, great battles took place here;
  • during the siege of Leningrad by the fascist invaders, the lake played one of the main roles - more than 1.6 million tons of food and ammunition were delivered through it, almost 1,500 people were evacuated;
  • the lake has always “fed” the residents of nearby villages and towns;
  • Today the lake has great cultural significance: centuries-old buildings have been preserved here, giving an idea of ​​the life of indigenous peoples. A large number of ships sank in the waters of the lake. Several years ago, a large-scale campaign was launched to study and raise sunken ships;
  • The shore of Ladoga is a favorite vacation spot for thousands of tourists, not only Russian but also foreign - this gives impetus to the development of the local tourism business.

Etymology

There are two versions of the origin of the name of Lake Ladoga:

  • from the name of the nearby city of Ladoga (from Finnish alodejoki - river in the lowlands). Ladoga is called a river, a city and a lake, but it is not reliably known what was the primary one.
  • Lake Ladoga got its name from the Karelian word - aalto - wave or aaltokas - wavy. This version is quite plausible, since the waves sometimes reach five meters and are chaotic (which is why shipwrecks occurred so often here);

In the Nesterova Chronicle, the lake was called “Great Nevo”, presumably due to the Neva River (from Finnish neva means bog or swamp).

Natural wealth of the lake

The northern shore of the lake is located in the middle taiga zone - spruce and blueberry forests with a continuous cover of green mosses predominate here. The West Bank is a subzone of the southern taiga - dark coniferous species are common, and maple, linden, and elm are also found. Grass cover is more common. The southern coast for 150 km is overgrown with cattails and reeds.


Secrets of Lake Ladoga

Most of the islands have a rocky base and steep coastline, sometimes there are almost bare hills or with sparse vegetation. Such islands become a favorite place for seagulls and other waterfowl.

Flora and fauna:

  • there are more than 120 species of aquatic vegetation;
  • about 350 species of algae;
  • the group of invertebrates living on the bottom of the lake includes 385 species;
  • freshwater fish – 53 species. The most common: salmon, vendace, bream, trout, pike perch, rudd, roach, perch, burbot, pike, Ladoga slingshot, catfish;
  • birds in the Ladoga region - 256 species: white-tailed eagle, swans, ducks, waders, geese, gulls, cranes, eagle owl, short-eared owl.
  • The lake is home to seals - the population size is 5,000 heads. This species of pinnipeds is listed in the Red Book;
  • Sometimes you can meet dolphins that swim here from the Baltic.

Climatic features of the lake

The weather in the vicinity of Lake Ladoga is characterized by a humid but at the same time mild climate. Winter is cold, summer is cool. The average annual water temperature is +3.5 o C. On hot summer days on the southern shores the temperature rises to +24 o C.

The weather on the lake is windy - up to 60 days with strong winds, the speed of which exceeds 15 m/s, are recorded annually.

In winter, Lake Ladoga is covered with ice. During severe frosts, its thickness reaches 60 cm, but the lake never completely freezes. In the winter of 1941–1942, in some places the ice was up to 110 cm thick. In these places, the Road of Life was organized, along which people were evacuated from besieged Leningrad.

The first ice begins to form in October, when the air temperature drops to -3–4 o C, and finally melts in May. In winter, fishing at a distance from the shore can be dangerous, since the ice often breaks up, and in a matter of seconds a large block turns into many small pieces of ice.

All the ice melts in the lake itself and only 5%, thanks to the winds, ends up in the Neva. In St. Petersburg you can observe the Ladoga ice at the end of April, the process lasts up to 7 days.

The weather is fickle - complete calm can give way to a storm with waves up to 4 meters high. The highest wave was recorded at 5.8 meters, but seven-meter waves are not excluded. On Lake Ladoga the weather is rainy most of the year, with frequent precipitation observed in autumn and winter. During the winter months, the weather is severe - 60–70 days with heavy snowstorms, and snow remains for up to 157 days. Already at the end of November, stable snow cover is observed, and it reaches its greatest thickness at the end of February.

The weather is cloudy and cloudy, with sunshine only 62 days a year. The average summer temperature is +17 o C, the hottest month is July. The average winter temperature is -9 o C, the coldest month is February.

Lake depth map

Lake Ladoga has a heterogeneous bottom:

  • in the south the depth reaches 60 meters;
  • in the north up to 100 m;
  • the lowest point is recorded at 230 meters. It is located in the depression of the Kurki skerries;
  • a map of the depths of Lake Ladoga near the southern coast shows a smoothed relief, there are no underwater rocks and depressions;
  • depth in the central part is 50 meters.

The higher the rocks and steeper the shore, the deeper the bottom of the lake. The Valaam archipelago is distinguished by its great depths.

Bays of the lake:

  • southern part: Volkhovskaya, Svirskaya, Shlisselburgskaya lips;
  • eastern part: bays – Uksunlahti and Lunkulanlahti.

The largest island by area is Mantsinsaari.

The waters of the lake are quite clear:

  • western coast - visibility is about 2.5 meters;
  • eastern bank – 1.5 meters;
  • The Volkhov Bay is characterized by the lowest transparency - up to 0.9 meters;
  • in the center - up to 10 meters;
  • During a storm, the water foams strongly, making it seem as if the lake is boiling.

Entertainment and excursions

Lake Ladoga is an attractive destination for tourism. Fish-rich waters attract fishing enthusiasts. Numerous tourist centers offer lovers of active recreation rafting on kayaks, kayaks, and motor boats. Numerous bicycle tours are organized around the Ladoga region. Travel companies have developed many options for excursions to the most picturesque and interesting places of the lake.

Fishing

Fishing on Lake Ladoga is good at any time of the year; each season has its own characteristics. In winter, ice forms on the lake, but it is not recommended to move more than 15 km from the shore to avoid ice calving.

In winter, they catch perch and roach, which live at a depth of up to 6 meters. In shallow water, in the reeds, you can catch pike. The most common fishing is perch. To do this, use a vertical spinner. The average weight of caught fish is 200 g, but there are specimens up to 800 g.

Spring fishing on Lake Ladoga is aimed at roach and pike. When air temperatures begin to rise, fish move closer to shore to spawn. The largest roach can be caught as soon as the ice begins to melt. They fish with a fishing rod for maggots. There is no point in feeding the fish at this time, since it aims to find a good place for spawning, and simply forgets about hunger.

Pike are caught by casting; fishing is best organized on the southern coast - there are more reed beds there.

Night fishing during white nights is especially attractive. At this time, you can use a method such as trolling - fishing from a moving motor boat. In this way you can catch a perch; a school of fish can be identified by a large concentration of seagulls. If a school is discovered, the size of the catch is striking in scale.

At this time, you can get lucky - pike perch becomes a fairly easy and large prey. Its weight reaches 5 kg, and it can be found 10 km from the coast.

Autumn fishing is also quite productive - bad weather encourages fish to come close to the shores, and you can catch them at a depth of two meters.

Recreation areas and beaches

In the summer, when the water temperature is more than 20 o C, beach holidays on Lake Ladoga are very popular. The best place for this is the wide sandy beach – Kokkorevo. The most beautiful beaches are located 145 km from St. Petersburg (near the village of Priozersky). Due to frequent winds, high waves can be observed on the reservoir, which is why Lake Ladoga is a favorite place for surfers. They can be found on Crimea beach.

The lake warms up most on the southern coast, so it’s worth taking a closer look at the numerous recreation centers in the Priozersk region, the villages: Salmi, Motornoye, Kobona. In Karelia:

  • Olonets;
  • Lumivaara;
  • Lakhdenpokhya;
  • Tiurula.

Tourist recreation centers and complexes located around Lake Ladoga offer entertainment for every taste and financial opportunity.

You can rent a small house for 900 rubles. More comfortable apartments will cost 5,000 rubles. Many bases offer their guests a heated swimming pool (since the lake is cold most of the year), good nutrition, baths and saunas.

All kinds of entertainment:

You can even rent a cottage on Lake Ladoga

  • fitness rooms;
  • billiard rooms;
  • cafes and bars;
  • night discos;
  • playgrounds;
  • karaoke.

But there are also options for wilder recreation, for example, tent bases that provide a place to place a tent. Here you can rent various swimming equipment and fishing equipment:

  • rowing boat – 500 rubles per day;
  • motor boat – 900 rubles;
  • Grizli boat – 4,000 rubles, huntsman escort – 3,000 rubles per hour.

The most popular recreation centers on the Ladoga coast:

  • Ladoga;
  • Soromyaki;
  • Voronov Post;
  • Float;
  • Olonka;
  • Lambushka;
  • Three elements;
  • Mikli-Olgino;
  • 13th cordon;
  • Tent camp – Kilpola;
  • Fishing recreation center "Burevestnik"

Excursions to Lake Ladoga

The shore of the lake is very picturesque, and there are many historical and cultural attractions in the surrounding area. Many bases and travel companies offer organized excursions to the most interesting places:

  • Valaam Monastery, founded in the 10th century. You can only get to it by cruise ship or boat;
  • On the island of Konevets there is the Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery. This place is unique - different religions come together here: the Orthodox Church and the sacrifice center of the local indigenous population. In ancient times, the huge Horse-Stone was a place where they appeased the gods, praying for good weather, a catch, and so on. Artifacts and traces of ancient settlements are still found here;
  • The Nizhesiversky Nature Reserve is an interesting and picturesque place for an excursion. You can watch birds (there are about 250 species) and admire unique plants (more than 500 varieties). Fishing is organized on the shore of the reserve;
  • The Korela Fortress Museum is a cultural heritage site located in Priozersk. The wooden-earth fortress was built in the 14th century by the Novgorodians. The surviving buildings house a local history museum with a large exhibition hall;
  • The Road of Life is a museum that is a branch of the Breakthrough the Siege of Leningrad nature reserve - the exhibitions clearly demonstrate the exploits of Soviet soldiers and local residents who repelled the German invaders;
  • Shlisselburg Fortress is located on a small island in Lake Ladoga, its area is 200*300 meters. It was built in 1323 and at that time was located on the border with Sweden. It was of great defensive importance and was repeatedly attacked, and in 1612 it was conquered by the Swedes and was in their power for 90 years.

Every year an international sporting event is held around Lake Ladoga - the Ladoga trophy raid - an off-road race. The length of the route is 1200 km, the event takes place in May. The colorful opening is held in the Northern capital - St. Petersburg.

How to get to the recreation centers on the shore

The most popular bases and vacation spots on Lake Ladoga are located in the Leningrad region. From St. Petersburg there is a shuttle bus from the Dybenko metro station. Every day, trains depart from Ladozhsky station to Priozersk station.

Train schedule Lake Ladoga:

  • Departure – daily at:
    • 10:10;
    • 15:08;
    • 22:02;
  • travel time – 3 hours;
  • cost – 354 rubles.

You can get to the city of Salmi from St. Petersburg by bus:

  • departs from bus station No. 2;
  • Departure time: 12:30;
  • travel duration – 7 hours;
  • ticket price – 700 rubles.

Electric trains run daily from St. Petersburg to Ladoga Lake station:

  • departure – from Finlyandsky and Baltic railway stations;
  • Departure time: every hour;
  • travel duration – 1 hour 20 minutes;
  • Ticket price: 129 rubles.

Most routes are by car. Thus, the famous Ladoga skerries are 250 km away from Petrozavodsk (the capital of Karelia). The route must be built in two stages:

  • first 190 km to the town of Pitkäranta;
  • then another 60 km to the city of Sortavala;

From St. Petersburg – 250 km along the lake to the city of Lakhdenpokhya.

You can get to the Karelian town of Uuksu from St. Petersburg by car, covering 330 km (4 hours on the road), fuel consumption - 35 liters. There are also daily buses from the Bus Station to Uuksu:

  • departure time:
    • 12:30;
    • 14:50;
  • travel time – 9 hours;
  • ticket price – 770 rubles.

Video: Ghost ship on Lake Ladoga

Feb 03, 2014

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Ladoga lake

Map scale 1:250000, color, in Russian. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. The map was compiled in 1988. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, eastern shore, approaches to the mouth of the Olonka River

Lake Ladoga, eastern shore, from Svirskaya Bay to the Vidlitsa River

Map scale 1:10000, color, in Russian. The map includes an enlarged view of Andrusov Bay on a scale of 1:30000. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1993. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, southern part of the Svirskaya Bay

Map scale 1:25000, color, in Russian. The map includes an enlarged approach to the south of Torpakov Island on a scale of 1:10000. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1994. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, eastern shore, mouth of the Vidlitsa River

Map scale 1:10000, color, in Russian. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1991. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, northern shore, approaches to Sortavala

Map scale 1:30000, color, in Russian. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1993. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, northern shore, Lehmalahti Bay with approaches

Lake Ladoga, northwestern shore, from the city of Sortavala to the city of Priozersk

Map scale 1:100000, color, in Russian. The map includes enlarged Maly Nikonovsky Bay on a scale of 1:10000; Monastyrskaya Bay on a scale of 1:10000; the mouth of the Vuoksa River on a scale of 1:10000. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1993. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, northwestern shore, from the Haykansalmi Strait to Rahmansari Island

Map scale 1:25000, color, in Russian. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1991. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Lake Ladoga, northwestern shore, Naismeri Bay

Map scale 1:10000, color, in Russian. Depths in meters are adjusted to the average long-term lake level. Coordinate system 1942. The map was compiled in 1993. The map loads automatically when you click on the name.

Europe is famous for its beauty and attractiveness. Its nature has more than once become the property of songs and legends, fairy tales and poems, essays and stories. Among all the diversity, water spaces stand out. Lake Ladoga is a bright representative. Its main difference from other water bodies is the rich flora and fauna.

general characteristics

Lake Ladoga is called the largest in all of Europe. Its area exceeds 18 thousand square kilometers. It is interesting that 457 kilometers of water area are occupied by the islands of Lake Ladoga, which in themselves are not so large. For example, the area of ​​the largest land areas located in the middle of the lake surface does not exceed one hectare. And in total there are more than 650 of them. Nature has placed the islands so that over 500 of them are located in the northwestern part of the lake.

The rocky islands have a bizarre shape and unusual outlines. Their height is 60-70 meters. It is especially interesting to observe the harmonious combination of coastline and island lines. The islands are separated from each other by numerous bays that cut into land areas.

Mother Nature has worked for thousands of years on the artistic and aesthetic design of this corner of the globe. Lake Ladoga is one of the oldest water bodies. In its lifetime, it has seen a lot and experienced amazing events, which can be judged by the numerous remnants and remains on its banks and bottom.

New research has made it possible to find out more accurate parameters of the water body. Lake Ladoga stretches 83 kilometers wide and 219 kilometers long. Without the island territory, it occupies a total of 17,578 square kilometers, which allows it to be called the largest European lake.

The length of the coastline exceeds one and a half thousand kilometers. Scientists were able to calculate the coefficient of its ruggedness. It is 2.1, which suggests the presence of multiple bays. The bowl of the lake is distinguished by its impressive capacity, which is 908 cubic kilometers.

Lake depth

The average depth of Lake Ladoga is 51 meters. However, if we talk about the largest, the figure already grows to 230 meters. The depth map of Lake Ladoga also shows impressive indicators. It usually marks the areas that are considered the deepest.

The bottom topography is heterogeneous. Therefore, it is not surprising that the depth of Lake Ladoga varies throughout its entire water area. For example, in the southern part the bottom is flat and smooth. This helps reduce the depth. The decrease is observed from north to south. In the northern part, the depth reaches 10-100 meters, and in the southern part this value is an order of magnitude lower and varies in the range from 3 to 7 meters. The bottom is distinguished by rocky spits and shallows, and you can even find clusters of boulders.

Bottom relief

In general, such differences in depth are explained by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the bottom. Which, in turn, is due to its impressive length. The geological structure also leaves its mark on the lake basin and its appearance. Interestingly, the bottom topography seems to resemble islands. He copies them exactly. Thus, at the bottom of the lake you can observe mountains and plains, depressions and potholes, hills and slopes.

Depressions up to 100 meters deep most often predominate. There are more than 500 of them in the northwestern part of the lake. Interestingly, such formations are concentrated in groups. And they, in turn, create a kind of labyrinth of bays. This phenomenon is called skerry. The depth map of Lake Ladoga allows you to verify this.

The slope of the lake has an average of 0.0105, and the angle averages 0.35 degrees. This value near the northern coast is already 1.52 degrees, and near the eastern coast it is 0.03. This is also considered a fairly important indicator.

Animal world

In a country like Russia, Lake Ladoga plays a huge role. It is called the supplier of drinking water for the northern capital of the state - St. Petersburg. However, in addition to this, Ladoga is home to a huge number of different animals. The main place among them, of course, is occupied by fish.

Today, more than 58 varieties and species of fish are known to exist in the waves of Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that there are also those who are “guests” in Ladoga. These include conger eel, Baltic salmon and sturgeon. They only occasionally swim into the waters of the lake. Their permanent habitat is the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic.

Unfortunately, due to the massive fishing of fish today, not all of its former inhabitants remain alive in Ladoga. Sometimes representatives of the fish kingdom disappear for no apparent reason. For example, sterlet. It no longer occurs in Ladoga waters, and researchers have never discovered the reason for this.

New species

But new inhabitants appeared in the lake. They are represented by peled and carp. The latter appeared in Ladoga relatively recently - in 1952-1953. The reason for this was that it was bred in the nearby Lake Ilmen. The fate of the peled was similar. It “wandered” to Ladoga from the Karelian Isthmus, where they began actively breeding it in the late 50s of the last century.

In addition, in the waters you can also find such fish as palia, salmon, pike perch, whitefish, bream, trout, ripus and vendace. They are distinguished by their value in the field of industry. These species are called commercial. There are also less valuable inhabitants of the lake. Among them are roach, smelt, pike, ruffe, blue bream, bleak and silver bream. They are considered no less tasty, but their use in food is represented in smaller quantities.

It is probably impossible to really name all the fish that are found in the waters of Lake Ladoga. There are so many inhabitants there that work to discover and study them continues to this day.

On the verge of extinction

Some fish of Lake Ladoga are now on the verge of extinction. Among them there are those that are considered valuable in the industrial field. The clearest example is salmon. In Ladoga there are individuals whose weight exceeds 10 kilograms. They are real giants. Interestingly, the fish go to spawn in late spring and summer. The young live there for no more than a couple of years, and then return to the lake.

The rivers are now clogged with lumber, making it difficult for salmon to spawn. In this regard, it was decided to suspend mass fishing. The corresponding law was passed back in 1960.

Another valuable fish is palia. She lives in the northern part of the lake. In winter it can be found at a depth of more than 70 meters, and in the warm months it rises to 20-30. Reproduction occurs in mid-autumn.

Whitefish also live in Ladoga. Now there are seven varieties of them in the lake. Four of them, namely lake Ladoga, Ludog, black and Valaam, are considered exclusively riverine, and the other three - Svir, Vuoksa and Volkhov - can live both in the lake and in the river. On average, during the breeding season, each individual lays about nine thousand eggs in October and November.

Just recently, people were massively engaged in catching whitefish, but now this species is on the verge of extinction. A peculiar reason for this can be called the construction of the Volkhov hydroelectric power station dam. Pisces were unable to overcome such an obstacle, and the measures people took to achieve this did not save the situation.

Rivers of Lake Ladoga

Now let's talk about waterways.

The rivers of Lake Ladoga are very numerous. This allows us to talk about its wide drainage basin. Its area exceeds 250 thousand square kilometers. Not every lake can boast such figures.

Finland and Karelia, located nearby, share water resources with Ladoga; rivers also carry their waves from the Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda lands. The water bodies of the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad regions make their contribution.

In total, about 45 thousand streams and rivers flow into Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that before becoming part of Ladoga, river waters accumulate in nearby lakes, including Saimaa, Onega and Ilmen. They, in turn, allow the formation of such tributaries of the main Ladoga as the Volkhova, Vuokse and Svir. In total, they bring more than 57 cubic kilometers of water into the lake per year. This accounts for approximately 85 percent of the total water mass that accumulates in the geographic area we are considering per year.

All other tributaries are called small. There is no explanation for this, because among them there are such impressive deep rivers as Janisjoki, Syas and Tulemajoki.

It should be understood that the tributaries of the Ladoga are quite young - by the standards of rivers - in age. They are only 10-12 thousand years old. That is why most of them have not yet formed wide valleys. They flow among rocky areas and steep banks.

The Baltic crystalline shield lies in the northeastern part of the lake. That is why the deepest and loudest tributaries flow into Ladoga from that side. Very often they turn into full-flowing stormy streams, encountering rocks on their way that are quite difficult to erode.

Tributary Svir

Lake Ladoga is located in Russia, and its deepest stream is called the Svir. This river flows from the Svirskaya Bay of Lake Onega, and flows into Ladoga from the southeast.

Its length is about 224 kilometers. The river includes two large tributaries, which are named Pasha and Oyat. It is interesting that the origin of this object is still covered in secrets and mysteries.

The Svir River itself and its banks are not distinguished by the picturesqueness inherent in Ladoga. The description of Lake Ladoga tells about the amazing beauty of its shores, which Svir cannot boast of. Its coastline is covered with alder bushes and marshy plants, and there are coniferous forests. Basically, the banks of the Svir River are accumulations of stones and boulders.

In ancient times, Svir was famous for its numerous rapids. They could not be called high, but the piles of boulders presented a serious obstacle to navigation. Local residents very often helped out the sailors, helping them cope with crossings. Very often, residents of coastal villages and towns themselves served as sailors, pilots and even captains. The proximity to a deep river left its mark on the character and way of life of the people.

But if we talk about the animal world, it is quite large. It is in the waters of this river that salmon spawning is often observed. In spring you can find schools of these fish heading to the mouth of the Svir. The tributaries Oyat and Pasha play the main role in spawning. Ichthyologists believe that it is these rivers that can contribute to the revival of salmon in Lake Ladoga.

When to visit

Over its centuries-old history, Lake Ladoga has been shrouded in secrets, riddles and legends. All this, of course, attracts numerous tourists. People also travel to Ladoga to admire the amazing beauty of nature and see with their own eyes one of the largest lakes in the world.

In order not to make a mistake, you should know when it is better to go and what time to give preference.

A trip here in May and June will be foggy in the truest sense of the word. At the end of May and beginning of June, thick fogs descend on Ladoga, in which it is quite easy to get lost. In such cases, it is very important to take experienced guides with you who will help you get on the right path and see all the surrounding beauty.

This time is considered quite cold for those places. In the evening, the skerries can be covered with a thin crust of ice, and the wind brings dampness. Of particular interest are the few hours after sunny weather. At such moments, the lake shines with calm and attractiveness. However, the very next moment a breeze blows in. It causes meter-long waves in the bays, although the lake off the coast continues to be peaceful.

One of the most striking advantages of this time, of course, after the attractive appearance of the coastal area, is the complete absence of mosquitoes. The extraordinary cleanliness of the lake is also called a virtue. The bottom, even at a depth of several meters, can be seen extremely clearly. It is believed that if you drink water at such a moment, happiness will not take long to arrive. The water itself is clean and tasty.

Those people who value comfort and coziness should visit Ladoga in the last two months of summer. This period is considered the best for proper rest. In this case, the air and water temperatures exceed the optimal mark, allowing you to swim in the waves of the lake and sunbathe on the shore. On the islands you can pick berries and mushrooms, which are abundant there.

Those people who travel to Ladoga with the aim of admiring the local beauty should choose the autumn months, when literally the entire coast shimmers with gold and bronze. In October, the weather worsens, accompanied by fog and storms. At such times you can meet many artists and landscape painters here. They try to capture the lush beauty of Ladoga.

Lake Ladoga in winter also presents an interesting sight. However, it is quite cold here at this time of year. But the middle of the lake does not freeze even in severe frosts due to its impressive depth.

Those people who want to visit this corner of our vast Motherland should look for Lake Ladoga on the map. Many travel companies offer entire routes. If you wish, you can choose one of the proposed ones or create your own.

A trip to the coast of Lake Ladoga will surely be memorable for everyone. This area is distinguished by the amazing beauty of nature at any time of the year, the diversity of flora and fauna, as well as the opportunity to have a great rest.