The Chechen Republic is famous for its magnificent landscapes, and surrounded by a variety of natural beauties, there is a lake that is described as the most interesting place in those parts. We are talking about the beautiful Galanchozh Lake.
Where is Lake Galanchozh?
The natural miracle is located at an altitude of 1533 meters above sea level, near the confluence of two mountain rivers - Gekhi and Osu-khi, at the base of the slope of Mount Verg-Lam.
Mountain springs from the slopes flow into the waters of the lake. The average depth of Lake Galanchozh is 30 meters, the deepest point is at a distance of 31 meters from the water surface. During rainy seasons, the water level increases significantly. When it goes beyond the allowable value, the excess flows into the outskirts of the Osu-khi River.
Galanchozh has almost the shape of a regular oval. The axes of the lake, which also depend on the water level and spills, range from 380 to 450 meters.
Lake water temperature
The water in the lake is quite cool. The temperature on the surface at the height of July heats up to +20 °С, and at a depth it does not exceed +5 °С.
In winter, the lake freezes, covered with a thick layersnow-white ice.
The beauty of winter Galanjozh is no less attractive.
Climate
The area in which the lake is located is excessively humid. During the period of active growth of plants and flowers, the amount of precipitation varies between 300-650 mm, and the total annual value is 800-1000 mm. In the warm season, precipitation manifests itself in the form of showers, which are accompanied by thunderstorms.
At the end of October, winter is already actively coming. The average temperature in January is -10 °С. The maximum minus temperature is -30 °C. In November, the surface of the earth is completely covered with a snow carpet. During this period, its depth can reach 45 cm.
The last days of April and the beginning of May are a steady onset of spring, when the average daily temperature fluctuates within positive values.
Summer here is short and lasts from the beginning of July to the end of August. The air temperature in summer warms up to +20 °С.
Beauty around the lake
Tourists celebrate the beauty and special attraction of the area where Lake Galanchozh is located. In the photo you can clearly see the picturesqueness of this region.
Due to the inaccessibility, the nature surrounding the lake was able to preserve its original beauty, which is still untouched by civilization. Therefore, this object is of great interest for research.
The lake is surrounded by picturesque mountain slopes and alpine flowers. The surrounding nature of Lake Galanchozhskoe is rich in rare species of representativesflora and fauna. Some of the animals, birds and plants are listed in the Red Book.
The water of the lake has a bluish-green tint, which makes Lake Galanchozh look like a huge bowl of cornflower blue in the midst of flowering plants in sunny weather. It's an incredible sight.
The sky and snow-white clouds are reflected in the emerald water. A beautiful green grove, which is located near the lake, fills the surrounding air with revitalizing freshness. All this splendor remains in the memory of everyone who has visited these parts at least once.
The mysterious legend about the origin of the lake
Every piece of these lands is shrouded in myths. For many decades, there has been a legend among the locals about the origin of the lake.
There was a small lake near the village of Yalkhoroy, which was once called Amkoy. One fine day, two local women went to the shore of this lake to wash dirty laundry. The water was impeccably clean, so the women decided that it was perfect for this purpose. Seeing this, the spirit of the lake became angry and turned the women into stones, which to this day are near the settlement of Amka.
However, the spirit of the lake did not want to remain defiled and transformed into a huge bull. He walked, leaving hoof marks. At the place where Lake Galanchozh is today, there were arable lands. It was there that the bull was harnessed to the plow and led to plow the field. After the first furrow, mud appeared, after the second furrow water added to the mud and it became even worse. And after a while the fieldbegan to quickly fill with water. The field, the locals and the bull were flooded in an instant.
The suddenly formed lake seriously frightened the local population - no one drank water from it and did not approach, everyone considered it bottomless.
What to see in the district of Lake Galanchozh?
Unique tower buildings of medieval architecture and numerous historical monuments - all this can be seen in the vicinity of Lake Galanchozh. Unfortunately, today most of them have survived only partially. Various military actions and natural disasters over the course of several centuries destroyed the most ancient architectural creations. However, the towers, burial grounds and crypts are well preserved.
In Soviet times, people with weakened immunity often spent time in these places to receive a complex of recreational activities.
Someone visited Lake Galanchozh in Chechnya and its environs just to admire the beauties of this region. When the surrounding views pleased the eye, the soul was filled with light.
Tourist hiking trails passed through the upper reaches of the rivers Chanty-Argun and Sharo-Argun straight to Georgia.
Today Lake Galanchozh is a natural monument of republican significance.
