Lake Onega is Europe’s second largest freshwater reservoir. Its area is impressive, in its size this reservoir is second only to Lake Ladoga. The lake is located in the Republic of Karelia, as well as in the Leningrad and Vologda regions. But most of the lake is still located in the Republic of Karelia (80%), two other regions account for only 20% of the area of this reservoir.
Lake Onega: depth and area
To talk about this pond in more detail, you must first say about its size. The area of Lake Onega is equal to 9600 square kilometers, more precisely - 9690 square meters. km This is an impressive figure. And I must say that this area is taken without the islands. If you take into account the islands, the area of Lake Onega in the square. km will reach the figure of 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 a small republic.
Onega's average depth is about 30 meters, and the greatest depth is 127 meters. Note that these are very impressive figures for lakes. About 50 different rivers (and about 1000 different water streams) flow into Onega Lake, and only one river flows out of the lake - 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 there are three Karelian cities (Petrozavodsk, which is the capital of the Republic of Karelia, as well as Medvezhyegorsk and Kondopoga).
In general, it must be said that the Republic of Karelia, where most of the lake is located, is characterized by a large number of rocks. The shores of the lake are really rocky, sometimes it is very difficult to approach the reservoir precisely because of the rocks.
Lake value
Almost every local resident will always answer you a question about the area of Lake Onega, will be happy to tell you some stories about the reservoir or its attractions. For the local population, the reservoir is pride. The size of Lake Onega is really impressive. The locals have much to be proud of. As we have already said, the area of Lake Onega in km 2 is equivalent to entire countries! Let's get acquainted with it in more detail.
The islands
The total number of islands in Onega is 1650, but not all of them are large. The total area of all islands of the lake is 224 square kilometers. The most famous island is Kizhi. It has a unique museum of the same name, in which the 18th-century wooden temples have been preserved and restored. Some of them are built without the use of nails or other metal fasteners.
But Kizhi is not the largest island of the lake, the largest in Lake Onega - Big Klimenetskiy, its area is 147 square kilometers (more than half the area of all lakes of Lake Onega). Big Klimenetsky island has its own settlement, there is even a school.
If you call other large islands, then you need to mention the Big Lelikovsky, as well as the island of Suisar and South Oleniy. The nature on all islands is very colorful, vibrant and in its own way special, like the whole Republic of Karelia, where most of the lake is located (we have already said that).
Flora and fauna of the island
Some shores of Lake Onega are very rocky, but still most of the shores of the lake are low and often marshy. 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.
On the shores of Onega, as well as on almost all of its islands, in reeds and reed beds, ducks, geese, swans and other water birds often nest. Almost the entire coastal area of the lake is occupied by dense coniferous forests, some of them are still untouched by human hand and are in virgin condition.
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 invertebrates there are a significant number of relics of the ancient ice age.
Returning to the fish of the lake, we note that there are:
- sterlet;
- lake salmon;
- trout (lake and brook);
- pale (ore and pit);
- zander;
- pike;
- perch;
- bream;
- vendace (including vendace);
- whitefish;
- grayling;
- smelt;
- roach;
- lamprey (river and brook).
And this is 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 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 today's world with outdated wastewater treatment systems, nothing good can be expected in terms of ecology. In the last decade, the impact on the ecosystem of the lake has only increased. Special damage is caused to the northwestern and northern parts of the lake. In this area are Petrozavodsk, Kondopoga and Medvezhyegorsk industrial sites. 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 wastewater treatment plants and to make serious investments in this matter (both from the local budget and from federal funds). I would like to believe that this unique lake will not be left to its own devices and will not become the center of man’s negligent attitude to nature.
Economic value
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 connecting link for the basins of the Baltic, Caspian and northern seas.
The system of canals and rivers allows you to send any goods 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 canal that is located along the southern bank of Onega (from the Svir River to the river called Vytegra).
On the shores of Lake Onega there are two ports (the Petrozavodsk metropolitan port and the cities 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 regular communication several times a day during navigation between Petrozavodsk and the island of Kizhi, as well as between Petrozavodsk and the Great Bay. Tourist motor ships and so-called “meteors” are involved here. Also, according to the latest information, there is a Petrozavodsk-Shala message.
Of some interesting events of the lake, we note that Lake Onega from the distant 1972 annually (in summer, in July) hosts the country's largest Onega Sailing Regatta. This is the country's open sailing championship among yachts (cruising). Other organized competitions are not held, although the area of Lake Onega allows this. This is explained by the weak development of tourism in the region.
Kizhi island
The main attraction of Lake Onega is the island of Kizhi, more precisely - the museum of the same name, which is located here. On the territory of the island-museum there are currently almost 90 monuments of wooden architecture from the 15th-20th centuries.
The center of Kizhi island is the architecture of the Kizhi churchyard (built in the 18th century), it is the 20th chapter of the Transfiguration Church, as well as the 9th chapter of the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin and the bell tower. In 1990, Kizhi Island was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is pride for our whole country!
Onega Petroglyphs
Cave paintings, which are called Onega petroglyphs, are located on the eastern shores of 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 of approximately 21 km or more. Their total number is approximately 1200 different figures and signs. Petroglyphs are not fully understood and from time to time more and more rock paintings are discovered. It seems that many more secrets hide the shores of Lake Onega. Its area allows you to do this.
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 the clean northern air. You will love these places forever, and you will come back here again and again. Lake Onega captivates and enchants. Like Karelia and photographers. There are incredibly 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 wonderful pastime, clean air, beautiful nature.