Among the many reservoirs that our planet is rich in, the Kuril Lake is especially notable for its pristine beauty. This is one of the main natural objects of the Kamchatka Territory, which is of great importance for scientific and educational tasks.
Description
Kurilskoye Lake is the second largest among all freshwater bodies located in Kamchatka. Its area is 77 square kilometers, and the greatest depth reaches 306 meters. The lake is filled with numerous streams and mountain rivers flowing into it from the surrounding hills. The replenishment of water is due to rain and snow. The highest water level is observed in June, the lowest - in April. Its average temperature ranges from 7.8 to 10.6 ° C.
One of the shores of the lake is decorated with a cone of the Ilyinsky volcano, and on the opposite is Kambalnaya hills. Weather conditions in this climate zone cannot be called favorable. They are distinguished by instability. Thaws, accompanied by snowfalls, are replaced by frosts, when the thermometer drops to 20 degrees below zero. Quite often there are strong winds in the area of the lake, the speed of which reaches more than 30 meters per second.
Where is the Kuril Lake
Despite its name, this picturesque lake is not located in the Kuril Islands at all. It is located in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, whose lands belong to the South Kamchatka Federal Reserve. A lake was formed in the basin of an extinct volcano, the height above sea level is 104 meters. It hides among the wild rocky shores and thickets of shrubs, so you can get to it only by helicopter.
Origin
According to experts, this unique reservoir formed over 8 thousand years ago. The origin of the Kuril lake is associated with a beautiful legend, which tells us that a huge mountain used to stand in this place, covering the sun for the nearest neighboring mountains. This caused quarrels and resentment on their part. As a result, a high mountain, tired of contention, went to sea. And in its place a lake appeared.
The true reason for the formation of this unique reservoir was discovered by scientists. The powerful volcanic eruptions that occurred in this place during the Holocene epoch devastated the volcanic bowels and formed a basin, the depth of which exceeded 300 meters. Gradually over millions of years, this caldera was filled with water, and the Kuril lake was formed, the tectonic origin of which is confirmed by pumice deposits up to 150 meters thick.
Features and Attractions
A unique phenomenon on the Kuril Lake is the spawning of sockeye salmon, which lasts from April-May to October. The only Ozernaya river flowing out, along which the largest salmon herds in Eurasia move upstream, is literally teeming with fish. Sometimes up to 6 million producers enter the lake. All this attracts many brown bears here. Avoiding each other under normal conditions, they are so passionate about fishing that they completely do not pay attention to relatives at this moment. In one place, up to 20 bears can feast on fish at a time.
The nature near Kuril Lake is simply fantastic. Like many lakes of the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and Kamchatka, it attracts a huge number of tourists with its beauties. The real decoration is the active Ilyinsky volcano, whose height is 1578 meters. Particularly noteworthy is its shape in the form of a regular cone, as well as young lava flows descending directly into the lake.
Main rivers
Several small rivers flow into the lake. Among them are Etamynk (18 km), Khakitsyn (24 km), as well as Kirushtuk and Vychenkiya. The water in these rivers is unusually clear and transparent, since it flows from high mountain springs formed as a result of melting snow. During the spawning period, sockeye salmon near the mouth gather for fishing dipper with cubs. Adult males fish slightly upstream where the channel is narrower. On the banks of the rivers flowing into the Kuril Lake, there are dense and impenetrable forest thickets. Here you can only move along the bear trails.
The only river that originates from the Kuril Lake is the so-called Ozernaya River, which flows into the Sea of Okhotsk. Its length is 62 kilometers, and the width closer to the mouth can reach up to 100 meters. In Ozernaya, grayling, kuja, arctic char, nine-spined stickleback are constantly found, chum, pink salmon, sockeye salmon, and coho salmon spawned. River supply is provided by 18 tributaries.
Vegetable world
The flora of the South Kamchatka Reserve, where the Kuril Lake is located, is simply unique. On the shore, tall in human growth rises fern. It gives off a stupefying fragrance that makes you dizzy. There are 380 species of various plants. Some of them grow only in this region. In the lake basin, large areas are occupied by rare thickets of stone birch in combination with Kamchatka forbs. There are also alder, willow, cedar.
Animal world
Innumerable herds of sockeye salmon, rising during spawning in the lake, lure on the shores of surrounding bears. By the end of summer they are going to be here up to two hundred. Bears are real foodies. In fish, they are only interested in caviar. Gutted remnants they throw right on the beach. They are instantly collected by foxes waiting in line. Red cheats do not bother with hunting. They are well aware that their patience will be rewarded.
The largest brown bear population inhabits the territory where the Kuril Lake is located. Kamchatka is a place where you can safely observe these animals. Under the protection of the reserve, the bears are very trusting and completely not afraid of humans. However, tourists are not allowed to approach them.
The largest colony of Pacific gulls inhabits the islands located in the center of Kuril Lake. Its number reaches 2.5 thousand pairs. Closer to winter, birds of prey accumulate here - Steller's sea eagle, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle. Whooper swans and ducks winter on an ice-free water surface. For all these birds, the main food is sockeye salmon and its roe.
The islands
The eruption of the volcano, which is associated with the origin of the basin of the Kuril Lake, contributed to the formation of several islands that adorn the water surface today. The names of some of them are associated with legends. So, the rocky island Heart Alaida, located in the southern part of the lake, appeared, according to legend, after a high mountain that had gone into the sea left its heart in the lake. The trail left by the mountain subsequently became the channel of the Ozernaya River.
From a geological point of view, the Heart of Alaid, as well as other islands of the Kuril Lake (Low, Chayachy, Samang archipelago) are of volcanic origin. Their domes, created from lava, reach a height of up to 300 meters. The northernmost island was formerly also called Alaid (after the volcano located on it), then it was renamed Atlasova Island. Alaid Volcano is the most active on the archipelago, its last eruption was recorded in 1996. This is the highest point of the Kuril ridge, the top of the volcano is located at an altitude of 2339 meters.
The heart of Alaid and Chayachiy are islands whose inaccessibility makes these places convenient for gulls to breed . But since the food in the lake is not always enough, you can often see the picture when the seagulls fly 40 km to the Sea of Okhotsk. There, at the fish factory, they collect fish waste and return back, belching in the chicks' beaks brought semi-digested food.
The hot springs
This is one of the main attractions of the Kuril Lake. Sources are located on the shore in the Warm Bay, which was formed due to the lava flows that descended from the volcano. They are small streams of water with a temperature of 35–45 ° C.
Kuril Lake is a real natural monument. The South Kamchatka Reserve, in whose territory it is located, is listed as a UNESCO World Natural and Cultural Heritage.