There are thousands of reservoirs on our beautiful planet, each of which is interesting and significant in its own way. We will tell you about Lake Onega - covered in legends, glorified by our famous ancestors, bewitching with its pristine beauty. They say that in winter you can hear the sun rise here, there is such silence around. But in summer, the shores of Lake Onega are drowned in the trills and chirping of hundreds of birds. Once here, it is as if you find yourself in another dimension, where tangible and visible reality is intertwined with history that you can touch with your hand.
Where is Lake Onega
This reservoir is located in Russia, in the north-west of its European part. Approximately 80% of its area is located on the lands of Karelia, and the remaining 20% is divided between the Leningrad and Vologda regions.
To Onega Bay, which belongs to the White Sea, the shortest distance from the lake (through forests and swamps) is 147 km. In 1933, the construction of the White Sea Canal with a length of 227 km was completed. It originates from the village of Povenets, which spreadson the shore of the Povenetskaya Bay of the lake, and ends near Belomorsk, a town with a population of about 10 thousand people, located in the Soroka Bay of the White Sea. Thus, an exit from Lake Onega to the seas of the Arctic Ocean was created. The nearest neighbor of the described reservoir is Lake Ladoga. In a straight line to it 127 km. The Svir river connects Onega and Ladoga. If you move along its winding channel, you will have to overcome 224 km.
The cities of Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk and Kondopoga, which grew up on its shores, can serve as landmarks for the location of Lake Onega. They are located in the northern part of the reservoir. Its southern shores are sparsely populated. But here the Onega Canal passes, on the way of which there is a small but fishy lake Megorskoye.
Historical facts
Studying native nature is unusually interesting. Now scientists have a lot of new technologies in their arsenal, for example, isotope and radionuclide methods, spectral analysis. With their help, it was possible to establish that Lake Onega appeared on the site of a shelf sea 300–400 million years BC. e. (Paleozoic, approximately Carbon-Devon period). It washed the shores of the B altic - that was the name of the then-existing continent. In those days, many protozoans with shells lived in sea waters. Dying, they sank to the bottom, forming a layer of limestone. In addition, many rivers flowed into the sea, carrying grains of sedimentary rocks with them. Now a layer of limestones, sandstones and clays forms a layer about 200 meters thick in the lake. It lies on a solid foundation of granite, gneiss and diabase, which appeared as a result ofvolcanic activity.
The origin of Lake Onega is associated with the Valdai glaciation. The height of the glacier then reached more than 3 km. Moving, huge white blocks easily plowed the earth's firmament, fundamentally changing the relief. This is also characteristic of the B altic Shield, on which Lake Onega is located. About 12 thousand years ago, the glacier retreated. The marks left by him filled with water, forming large and small lakes. One of them was named Onego. The exact etymology of the word is unknown, there are only unconfirmed theories. People began to settle on the banks of this reservoir, as evidenced by numerous petrographers who have survived to this day.
Geographic characteristics
This is the second body of water in Europe after Lake Ladoga. Its total area (including all the islands) is 9,720 km2, and the coastline stretches for 1,542 km. The depth of Lake Onega is different. There are places where it reaches 127 meters, but closer to the coast and in small backwaters it does not exceed 1.5-2 meters. Thus, the average depth of the reservoir is about 30 meters.
The famous lake does not have the correct geometric shape. We can only say that it is somewhat elongated from the northwest to the southeast. In the northern part, there is the Big Onego Bay, which cuts deep into the land. Taking it into account, the maximum length of the reservoir is 245 km, and the maximum width is 91.6 km.
Shores
Bypassing Lake Onega, you can see that its shores are indented with large andsmall bays, bays and capes. In addition to Big Onego, there is Small Onego, as well as Povenetsky and Zaonezhsky bays. The bays in the northern waters of the lake are Povenetskaya, Velikaya, Shchepikha, Konda, Petrozavodskaya, Bolshaya Lizhemskaya, Unitskaya, Kondopozhskaya. In the southern water area there is only one bay - Svirskaya.
The appearance of the shores is also different. In the more "wild" south, forests give way to shallows, which are sandy or rocky. Also in this part there are many impregnable rocks and picturesque, but dangerous swamps.
The northern shores are characterized by unusual geological ledges called "ram's foreheads". They are rocks polished by a moving glacier (gneisses, granites), gentle on one side and steep on the other.
Islands
In the European part of Russia, Lake Onega is not only one of the largest, but also a body of water with a huge number of islands. There are more than 1500 of them here! These areas of land, protruding above the water surface, are large and very tiny, famous throughout the world and unknown to anyone, rocky and covered with dense forests.
The largest island is called Big Klimetsky. Its area is 147 km2. The natural attraction here is Mount Medvezhitsa, whose height is 82 meters. There are several villages on Bolshoy Klimetsky, there is a secondary school. There are no monuments of nature and history here. Communication with the mainland is carried out by ferry crossing.
The second largest island is called Bolshoy Lelikovsky. It is about 6 times smaller than B. Klimetsky. People also live on this island, butthere are no public buildings, except for a small shop.
If you ask what is the most famous island on Lake Onega, any person will immediately name Kizhi. Its area is only 5 km2, its length is 5.5 km, and its width is 1.4 km. You can get around this piece of land in a couple of hours, but the glory of its borders knows no bounds. Here is the museum-reserve of the same name, created on the basis of the Kizhi Pogost, as well as the architectural ensemble, which is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is an ensemble of two churches (twelve-domed and seven-domed) and a bell tower. According to legend, the church “about 12 chapters” of the Transfiguration of the Lord was built by a local craftsman without a single nail. So that no one could repeat his creation, he threw the ax into the lake.
Another island that I would like to mention is called Suisaari (or Suisari). It rises above the water in the Kondopoga Bay. The island is currently uninhabited, but there is an old village that has the status of a historical monument. Quartz and chalcedony were found on Suisaari, and agates are also found here. Most of the land is occupied by forest, in which even bears are found. The shores of the island are heavily swamped. There are many bird nests in the reeds.
Rivers of Lake Onega
More than 1,000 rivers and streams carry their waters into the reservoir we are describing, and only one river flows out of it - the Svir. It is quite full-flowing, has a length of 224 km, connects the Ladoga and Onega lakes. The width of the Svir can vary from 100 meters to 12 km. The river is navigable. A cascade of hydroelectric power stations was built on it, the largest of which is Verkhnesvirskaya. Svir is interesting because there is the Storozhensky lighthouse (it is the second in Russia and the seventh in the world in height) and the Nizhnesvirsky nature reserve.
About 50 rivers flowing into the Onega are over 10 km long. The most famous are Suna, Gimerka, Vodla, Losinka, Chebinka, Neglinka, Anga, Pyalma and others.
Climate
The weather around Lake Onega is windy and changeable. Storms in the reservoir are so frequent that they even dug the Onega Canal in its southern part to ensure safer passage of ships to the Svir River.
Winters here in some years can be mild with temperatures not lower than -4 °C, but more often there are quite noticeable frosts down to -15 °C, and sometimes down to -30 °C. Winter lasts 120 days. In November - December, an ice cover forms in the bays and along the coast, and by mid-January it spreads to the entire lake, except for the deepest places. In some years, the water here remains open all winter.
Strong winds can crack the ice, forming cracks. Then the white blocks crawl one on top of the other. It turns out peculiar mountains several meters high.
The ice breaks by May, but sometimes you can see floating ice floes in June.
The warmest and most suitable months for relaxation here are July and August. The water temperature in shallow water can warm up to +22 °C, but most often reaches +17 °C. The ambient air temperature during the day rises to +30 °C, and the average values are around +20 °C.
The weather in this area is not only windy, but also rainy. WaterThe balance of the lake is replenished by 25% every year due to atmospheric precipitation. Rain falls steadily throughout the summer.
Flora
Lake Onega is extraordinarily beautiful. Its shores froze in a severe charm. They silently frame the water surface, sparkling in the sun with golden highlights. The water in the lake is so clean and transparent that the bottom can be seen at a depth of 4 meters or more. Some islands and parts of the coast are covered with dense virgin forests of coniferous trees, but deciduous copses are also found here. Spruces, pines, firs, larches are the main higher plants that make up the Onega biome. Only occasionally does a glance catch a birch, an alder and an aspen. Bypassing the environs of Lake Onega, you can find euonymus, honeysuckle, and currants in the undergrowth. Carpets of blueberries and lingonberries spread under your feet, you can find cranberries in the swamps, and the mushroom season opens in the second half of summer.
On the swampy shores and shallow waters, the shores are overgrown with reeds and cattails, which is very valuable for many birds. Some bays are adorned with lilies and water lilies, and sour, wintergreen, horsetails and other herbaceous plants grow green on the banks.
Fauna
The surroundings of Lake Onega are full of life. Geese, ducks, swans nest in the reeds. Cranes, terns, eagle owls, grebes, herbalists also fly here. Woodpeckers, jays, tits, and many other small birds live in the forests.
The animal world is also widely represented. Local residents have repeatedly seen hares, squirrels, ermines, and roe deer in the surrounding forests. They say that there are alsobears because their droppings are often found.
Seals can be observed in the expanses of water and on the banks. They swim here for food. There are a lot of fish in Lake Onega. About 54 species of fish live here, including whitefish, smelt, grayling, pike perch, perch, eel, sabrefish, silver bream, pike, bream and others.
Fishing on Lake Onega is productive at any time of the year. You can fish from the shore and from the water, which is more preferable. The depth of the bays 40-100 meters allows the use of motorized boats.
Localities
The most famous and largest city that grew up on the shoreline of Lake Onega is the capital of Karelia (Petrozavodsk). It is called the port of five seas, the city of labor and military glory, the historical and cultural center of the Prionezhsky region. People lived in this area as early as 6000 BC. e., as evidenced by the numerous sites found. But the city itself was founded by Peter I, who founded an arms factory here. Petrozavodsk is interesting for its historical monuments, architectural ensembles and the fact that interesting festivals are held here - Hyperborea, Air, White Nights of Karelia, as well as a sailing regatta.
Kondopoga is another city on the banks of the Onega, located 54 km from Petrozavodsk. It has been mentioned in historical chronicles since 1495. From the 18th century, marble began to be mined near it, which was used to build the palaces of St. Petersburg. In recent years, the city authorities have been actively developing tourism here. Of interest are the Assumption Church, built at the end of the 18th century,but twice restored, two carillons of bells, as well as outdoor activities. The city stands on the banks of the Kondopoga Bay. The depth of Lake Onega here is up to 80 meters, which allows both amateur and commercial fishing. Its species composition in this part of the lake is incredibly rich, and the bite is excellent.
Medvezhyegorsk. This is the northernmost and youngest city on the Onega. Its history began in 1915 with the construction of the railway. station Medvezhya Gora. There are no unique attractions here, but this town is an excellent starting point for traveling along Onega.
On the shores of the lake there are many small towns and villages where tourists can find comfortable conditions for recreation. Among them are Pyalma, Povenets, Pindushi, Shalsky and others.
Ecology
In the northern water area of the lake, environmental indicators are much worse than in the south. This is due to the fact that about 90% of industry and more than 80% of the population are concentrated here. Every year, thousands of tons of waste are dumped into Lake Onega, including phenols, lead, sulfur oxides, waste reclamation water, sewage.
Attractions
There are several dozens of interesting places in the vicinity of Lake Onega. All of them can be divided into monuments of nature and history. It is more convenient to get to both of them by water. Land roads in many sections are so broken that only an SUV can overcome them.
You can visit the lake not only the island of Kizhi. Of great interest are petroglyphs focused on the easternbank of the reservoir. There are over 800 drawings.
Tourists are always taken to Cape Devils Nose. It is famous for its hooked shape, as well as the many cave paintings that adorn it.
Damn chair. This is an unusual formation in the rock near the village of Solomennoye. The height of the "seat" is 80 meters above sea level, and the height of the "back" is 113 meters. Damn chair formed glaciers. They say that if you sit on its edge and make a wish, it will certainly come true.
The Kivach waterfall on the Suna River was more powerful before the construction of the dam, but even now it fascinates with its power and beauty. The reserve of the same name is also located here.
From the man-made monuments in the vicinity of Onega there are dozens of ancient functioning and already closed wooden temples. Each one is interesting in its own way. One can single out the Murom Monastery in the village of Pudozh, the Assumption Church in Kondopoga, the Museum of Martial Waters, the Church of the Great Martyr Barbara.
Rest
Tourists come to the lake to relax both "savage" and civilized. In the first case, there are plenty of opportunities and suitable places for setting up a tent camp. It is advisable to take into account that the best weather here is in August, but during the same period there is a massive breeding of mosquitoes and midges.
You can also stay in guest houses, which are now available in almost every coastal village. In mini-hotels, they will not only offer a bed, but also feed, rent a boat and fishing equipment.
Fishing on Lake Onega is the main entertainment for men. Guest houses are ideal fora comfortable stay for fishermen, because guests have the opportunity to take a steam bath in a Russian bathhouse, cook a catch on the grill, and sleep in a clean bed.
At 55 km from the city of Petrozavodsk there is a sanatorium "Marcial Waters", which began its work in 1719. Allergy, skin diseases, cardiovascular system, lungs, joints, bone apparatus, nervous diseases, digestive organs are treated here. Vacationers are offered comfortable rooms with amenities, delicious food. Medical and diagnostic procedures are carried out using modern technologies.
Legends and myths
Lake Onega attracts many with mysterious phenomena happening in its vicinity.
Locals and tourists often see will-o'-the-wisps, dark shapes. Some even hear bells ringing and voices. These phenomena are most often observed in places of mass graves or where there used to be pagan sanctuaries.
There are also many documented cases that occurred in the vicinity of Lake Onega with people and give rise to assumptions that there are time and energy faults here.
The most sensational happened in 1073 on the island of Bolshoy Klimetsky with A. F. Pulkin, fleet captain, deviator. He grew up in these places, he knows every path here. While fishing on the island, Pulkin went deep into the forest for firewood. The captain came ashore after 34 days. Pulkin could not explain where he was all this time and why the rescue teams could not find him.
One morean incomprehensible story happened to the students. They came to the island to rest. But as soon as their boat moored to the shore, the guys felt an incredible energy impact in the form of vibration and an unpleasant buzz that caused a headache. All this stopped as soon as the students left the shore.
In 2009, an incredible incident happened to the girl Anya (age 6). Her family arrived at Lake Onega to relax as "savages". Dad pitched a tent, lit a fire. Mom made dinner. Anya was playing nearby, but suddenly disappeared. The parents searched all around. The father rushed into the forest, constantly calling his daughter loudly. Mom stayed near the tent. The girl was nowhere to be found. What was the amazement of the parents when, after looking into the tent for the tenth time, they saw their daughter peacefully sleeping there. This story ended happily, except for the fact that Anya's eye color changed, curly hair straightened, old moles disappeared and new ones appeared. Parents are also embarrassed that the girl often speaks in a dream in a language unknown to anyone.
There are a lot of similar stories among the locals. Lake Onega, beautiful and majestic, keeps many secrets and is waiting for their discoverers.
