Manych-Gudilo Lake, located simultaneously on the territory of Kalmykia, Stavropol and Rostov Region, is one of the largest European water bodies; its approximate area is 350 square meters. km with a length of about 180 km. Being a kind of relic - the remnant of the ancient Tethys Ocean, connecting the Caspian, Black and Azov Seas, over the years it experienced significant fluctuations in size. In some years, it dried out almost completely; in 1926, cars drove along its smooth, dry bottom. In wet years, its depth increased to 2.2 meters.
Due to the shallow water (the average depth today is about 60 cm, which is slightly higher than the knees), this
salt lake is unsuitable for swimming; with great desire in its waters, except that you can swim on an air mattress. Of the fish brethren, small and southern
smelt, needle fish and three
-needle fish live here. The choice is small due to salt water.
Manych-Gudilo Lake: features
By the way, strong winds - frequent guests of these vast expanses - are capable of raising huge waves up to 15 meters high in such a reservoir. The climate in this area is unpredictably harsh; in winter, the temperature can drop to -30 ° C, rising in summer to +40 ° C.
A characteristic feature of Manych-Gudilo Lake is a frightening hum, causing panic and faith in the stories of local residents about the spirits walking in the area. Moreover, the roar is heard from everywhere; the ravines, beams and banks are buzzing. In fact, the reason is commonplace: it is wind and hilly terrain. Therefore, Manych-Gudilo Lake in the Rostov Region is therefore named that way; the first part of the phrase “Manych” means “salty”, and “mudilo” - “buzzing”.
Manych - bird island
This wild place, not adapted for recreation and fishing, nevertheless captivates with its severe beauty. Lake Goodila-Manych is replete with various birds; there are curly pelicans, mute swans, black-headed gulls, gray cranes, a small egret, shore swallows. All this thousands of winged brethren gather on the island of Ptichy, some temporarily, arranging a halt during migration, and some are permanent residents.
The amazing flora of Manych
From vegetation, due to increased mineralization, sedge, reeds, reeds and tumbleweeds of an unusual shape are found.
Manych Lake in the Rostov Region is famous for what many lovers of beauty especially go to admire. These are tulips! There is a whole island here!
A huge multi-colored carpet of wild flowers plunges into the world of a vast and boundless steppe. Such an unforgettable sight is simply a shock to the human soul. According to some reports, European breeders came for the bulbs of local tulips in the 18th century.
Wild herd - pride of Manych-Gudilo Lake
Having been on Manych-Gudilo Lake, you should definitely look at mustang horses, recalcitrant and free. To see how they, just grazing in the meadows, galloping across a vast field covered with tall grass, is simply an unforgettable sight, as if plunging into a primitive world. According to rumors, these artiodactyls were brought here during the filming of the Soviet film "The Seventh Bullet." Some mustangs fled and began to breed in the environment they liked, namely on the island of Water. Of course, people help them survive - employees of the reserve, supplying artiodactyls with fresh water, which is not on the island.
According to the second version, on the island in the first half of the last century there was a livestock farm, later recognized as unprofitable. The cattle kept on it were sent to the mainland, but some horses managed to escape to free bread.
Interestingly, such a group of Don Mustangs (as they are now called), numbering more than 300 goals, has been living in a closed half-cycle for more than half a century, without any signs of degeneration. Horses are healthy and large, with the correct structure and lack of defects.
Time, with its natural factors, of course, not without human intervention, takes power from the lake: the water is gradually leaving, and the islands that are growing in swan are gradually connecting with the coastal strip, which is reduced by 5 meters annually. In order to save the lake in this territory, the Manych-Gudilo nature reserve was created.