Lake Ladoga (has a second name Ladoga, previously referred to as Nevo) is considered the largest freshwater reservoir in Russia. Ladoga is only slightly inferior in popularity to Lake Baikal, known all over the world. Hundreds of tourists come to its coast every year to enjoy the wonderful views and capture the beauty of this place.
In this article, you will learn the main features of this reservoir - where it is located, what characteristics it has, what surrounds the lake, what flora and fauna is, what it is like in winter and summer.
Lake Ladoga belongs to two territories - the eastern and northern shores are located in the Republic of Karelia, while the southern and western shores please the residents of the Leningrad Region. The lake belongs to the basins of the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea.
Specifications
Lake area
If we take the total area of \u200b\u200bLadoga, then we get an impressive figure - 17 870 km², and if we also take into account the islands, then we get 18 320 km². The volume of water in the lake is 838 km³. The maximum recorded width is 125 kilometers, and the total coastal length is as much as 1,570 kilometers.
The height above sea level is small - only 4.8 meters, but the depth is dozens more. It is impossible to accurately measure the depth throughout the lake, it is uneven - in the northern part the range in numbers is from 70 to 220 meters, in the southern part - from 19 to 70 meters. But the greatest depth was measured, in Lake Ladoga it is 230 meters.
Water temperature
Like the entire Leningrad region, Lake Ladoga is in a cold and rainy haze all year round. The average water temperature in warm seasons is about +19. In autumn it drops to +10 degrees, and in winter frosts it drops to -3 degrees. In August, if the year turned out to be successful, on the surface of the lake you can catch a temperature of +24 degrees, but closer to the bottom it will be only +17 degrees. At a depth of more than 200 meters, the water temperature is almost always equal to +3, +4.
Ladoga nature
The northern and eastern coast (Karelia) belongs to the middle taiga zone, and part of the lake in the Leningrad region belongs to the southern taiga subzone. The northern subzone is characterized by the appearance of mosses and shrubs (mainly bilberries, blueberries), an abundance of spruce forests; dark coniferous forests are inherent in the southern part, linden and maple are sometimes found, but the moss cover is less developed.
In Ladoga, scientists have more than 110 species of aquatic plants. There are more than 76 subspecies of blue-green algae alone, and there are also green algae and diatoms. Along with the violent underwater world, planktonic animals also found refuge. The lake is home to cladocera copepods, rotifers, daphnia, cyclops, water mites, a wide variety of worms, molluscs and other crustaceans.
The waters of Ladoga are rich not only in mites and single-celled organisms, there are more than 50 species of fish. For example, Ladoga slingshot, trout, whitefish, salmon, bream, smelt, rudd, pike perch, catfish, syrt, asp, palia, roach, perch, pike, sturgeon, silver bream, burbot and many others. The richest in seafood area of \u200b\u200bthe lake is the shallow southern zone, where the depth is only 20 meters. But in the northern deep-water area, the catch will be less diverse.
In addition to fish, this reservoir can show tourists more than 200 species of birds. The most attractive place for birds to live is the southern zone, however, many birds can be seen in Karelia. On the territory of Lake Ladoga there are: gulls, river ducks, geese, swans, cranes and sandpipers, eagle owls, toadstools, short-eared owls, osprey, fawn, herbalists, golden plovers and even a white-tailed eagle.
Lake Ladoga has become a habitat for the world's only pinniped, the Ladoga ringed seal (a special subspecies of the ringed seal). In total, there are about 4000 of them in the world, so these animals are listed in the Red Book and are strictly protected by law.
Cities
The following cities are located on the shores of the lake itself: Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Sortavala, Shlisselburg, Pitkyaranta and Lakhdenpohja. The largest of them are Priozersk and Novaya Ladoga, although the number of people there does not exceed 50 thousand.
Larger cities are located near Lake Ladoga, for example, St. Petersburg. From the northern capital of Russia, you can get to Lake Ladoga in various ways, from public transport (electric trains, buses, trains, ferries) to moving by car. At the same time, the travel time will be no more than three hours, and if you use a car and plot the correct route on the map, you can manage it in one and a half.
From the northern part, the closest city to Ladoga is Petrozavodsk. It can also be reached from there by car or public transport. However, the road will take a little more than 4 hours.
Climate and seasons of Lake Ladoga
It is no secret for avid tourists that Ladoga looks extremely inhospitable during the autumn and winter months. Even in Karelia, where all around there are picturesque rocks and wildflowers wading among thick grass, Lake Ladoga is inhospitable.
In cold periods, an arctic anticyclone operates on the lake, which carries strong gusts of wind, a storm, prolonged rains and freezing temperatures. In October, the storm season begins, it becomes damp and wet, and frequent fog appears on the lake. The only outlet for lovers of autumn holidays is September, this month Ladoga is more or less ready to share its beauty - heavy rains do not come often, the water surface is calm and clean, the air retains a piece of summer.
In summer, the reservoir graciously greets guests with a southern anticyclone, delighting with picturesque places and clear water. Only seasoned people will be able to swim here, but everyone will be able to enjoy the beauty. The average air temperature in July and August exceeds +20 degrees, so tourists will certainly be able to capture the sun glare playing on the surface of Ladoga.
Ladoga lake is the largest freshwater lake on the European continent. For Russia, this lake is of great industrial, ecological and historical importance. Another variant of the name is Ladoga.
If you look at the map, you can see that the shores of Lake Ladoga belong to two Russian regions: the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad Region. That is, it is located in the European part of the country.
On the north side Ladoga the shores are high, rocky, their relief is quite indented, which explains the presence of a large number of peninsulas, bays, and small islets here. From the south of Ladoga, the lake is surrounded by low, gentle, more even shores. The largest bays are also located here: Volkhovskaya, Svirskaya, Shlisselburgskaya lips. The eastern coast is also not very rugged, there are sandy beaches. In the west, the coastline is almost flat. Mixed forests, bushes grow here, near the water on land there are many large stones, which also cover the bottom under water for a rather long distance.
Bring their waters into Ladoga lake 35 rivers, but only one flows out. The largest river bringing water is the Svir. What river flows from Lake Ladoga? This is the famous Neva, on which stands the second most important city of the Russian Federation - St. Petersburg. Some rivers bring water to Ladoga from other lakes, such as Onega or Ilmen.
There are a large number of islands on the lake - at least five hundred. The largest islands Ladoga together they form the Valaam archipelago. The largest single island is Riekkalansari. Also a large island is Konevets, where a famous monastery was built, as well as on Valaam.
Dimensions, length and depth of Ladoga
The depth of Lake Ladoga is uneven throughout its entire territory - it increases from south to north. The maximum depth of Lake Ladoga is 233 m. The average figure is much lower - 50 m. In the north of Lake Ladoga, its depth varies from 70 to 230 m, and in the south - from 20 to 70.
The area of \u200b\u200bLadoga is 17.87 thousand square meters. km. The volume of water in Lake Ladoga is 838 cubic meters. km. The length of the lake from north to south is 219 km, at its widest point Ladoga stretches for 125 km.
Climatic features of the area
Lake Ladoga has a mostly temperate climate. In the geographical area where Lake Ladoga is located, not much sunlight penetrates during the year. Therefore, the evaporation of water from Ladoga is rather slow. Most of the days of the year are cloudy and overcast here.
Between late May and mid-July, Lake Ladoga you can observe the famous phenomenon of "white nights", when at night the sun practically does not set over the horizon.
Throughout the year, westerly and southwestern winds blow on Ladoga. In winter, Lake Ladoga freezes until the end of spring, but is completely covered with ice only in the coldest winters. Such a long glaciation affects the water temperature throughout the rest of the year. The average water temperature here is low: at depth it stays at 4 ° C, and on the surface Lake Ladoga depending on the season and area it can be between 2 ° C and 24 ° C. The water is not as clear as on Baikal, but this may be due to the fact that many species of algae, small plankton live in it, and constant storms disturb its surface, whipping up the foam.
History of Lake Ladoga
Lake Ladoga was formed as a result of the melting of glaciers, and over the course of several thousand years, its outlines were formed and changed.
Until the 13th century, the lake was called Nevo, which was apparently directly related to the name of the Neva River. Then it was named Lake Ladoga, taking the name from the city of Ladoga located here. Many objects in this area have names derived from the Karelian language. But the most likely explanation for the name "Ladoga" is considered to be the Finnish versions - from the ancient words denoting water or the concept "lower", which are consonant with Ladoga. The name Nevo also has Finnish roots and can mean "swamp". It is quite possible that in those days the lake gave rise to the name itself, in this area there are many traces of swamps.
Along Lake Ladoga, starting from the 9th century from Scandinavia, the water part of the route "From the Varangians to the Greeks" passed through Europe to the country of Byzantium. In the VIII century, the city of Ladoga was erected here, soon other cities and fortresses began to appear here. At the end of the XIV century, the famous Valaam Monastery was founded on the islands of the same name; to this day, its buildings are a pearl of wooden architecture.
For many years there was a war with the Swedish state for part of the land lying on the lake. Peter I managed to achieve the fact that Ladoga became Russian. In 1721, according to an agreement with the Swedes, concluded after the war, the coast of Lake Ladoga went entirely to Russia.
To make navigation on Ladoga more accessible, a canal was built here.
In the difficult war years from 1939 to 1944. the Ladoga flotilla was based in Lake Ladoga, which fought in its waters. In 1941-1944. more than half of the shores of Lake Ladoga were occupied by enemy troops. From September 1941 to March 1943, the Road of Life ran across the ice of Ladoga - the only way along which provisions and necessary things could be delivered to besieged Leningrad. The removal of people was also organized along it; in total, about 1.3 million people took advantage of the evacuation.
Thus, Ladoga is a lake that has a special meaning for Russian history.
Ecology of Lake Ladoga
Basically, the waters of Ladoga are very clean, but there are problem areas. This is largely due to the development of industrial zones near Lake Ladogaand also with the aftermath of World War II. During the war, tests of radioactive weapons took place in this area and on some islands. In particular, the reaction of animals to the consequences of its use was studied. In addition, many sunken warships and aircraft with ammunition create an unfavorable radiation background.
The number of contaminated sites is growing. On the shores of Ladoga, there are about 600 industrial enterprises that pollute the air, dump industrial waste into the Ladoga River and others, which then bring them into the lake. By the way, the correct answer to the question - Ladoga is a river or a lake is that it is both. There is a river and also a city with that name. At the same time, historians claim that first the river received its name, then the city, and only after that Lake Nevo was renamed.
The pollution of Lake Ladoga is currently considered to be at a moderate level. In some places there is an excess of radiation standards - where earlier tests of supplies were carried out, as well as those closest to nuclear and other industrial enterprises.
Nature and fauna of Lake Ladoga
The nature of Lake Ladoga is very beautiful, this place is very famous among tourists, travelers as a place for recreation and hiking. Majestic cliffs, mountains, pine forests - all this creates a unique image of this place. Rare plants and animals are found in various nature reserves of Ladoga. Despite the difficult climate, even some southern plant species grow here, and in the north - typical representatives of the tundra (saxifrage). Forests on Lake Ladoga are not only coniferous, but also broad-leaved - with maples, elms.
Fauna Lake Ladoga includes representatives of the taiga: foxes, wolves, hares, bears, etc. There is also an original animal that is found only here - the Ladoga seal. The animal, which is more characteristic of the seas, feels great in the fresh water of Ladoga.
There are about 50 species of fish in Lake Ladoga. The most popular among fishermen and industrialists are smelt and pike perch.
Rest on Lake Ladoga
Around Lake Ladoga, you can find places for recreation for every taste and for any purpose: wellness, hiking, entertainment. Fishing lovers can often be found here. Everything that is needed for such activities is located at recreation centers, including practically at each of them instructors work who will teach the subtleties of one or another type of pastime.
They like to go diving here because of the large number of finds that can be found at the bottom and just beautiful underwater views. You can also opt for a relaxing beach holiday when weather conditions permit.
Excursions to the natural and historical sights of Ladoga are also organized, for example, buildings left after the war, old fortresses or mountain peaks.
Attractions on Lake Ladoga
It is worth talking about the sights of Lake Ladoga separately. Here is, for example, the interesting Nizhnesvirsky reserve with beautiful views of almost untouched nature. It is home to a huge number of bird species and many animals.
Valaam Island on Ladoga with the monastery of the same name is of historical, cultural and architectural value. Not to mention the fact that pilgrims come here from all over Russia and not only.
The memorial complex dedicated to the Road of Life tells the story of the heroic deed of people who, in the most dangerous conditions, traveled on the ice of Lake Ladoga, risking falling through the ice or being fired upon by the enemy. Nevertheless, they went to it in order to save the lives of the inhabitants of the city who survived the terrible blockade.
Also of historical and cultural interest on Lake Ladoga are the cities of Shlisselburg, founded by Peter I, with the Oreshek fortress, Novaya Ladoga.
Lake Ladoga in works of art
Ladoga is a lake that is reflected in folk legends and samples of folk art of various peoples who lived here. These are mainly Karelian and Russian epics.
The famous Karelian folk composition "Kalevala", which was once passed from mouth to mouth, describes the events that took place in the north of Lake Ladoga.
Constantine Roerich in his youth made an expedition along the rivers flowing into Lake Ladoga and to the lake itself. From 1916 he lived in this area for two years, created several canvases, sketches, poems and fairy tales here.
Due to its amazing nature, Lake Ladoga inspired, first of all, painters who admired the local colors and landscapes. Many wrote the Valaam Monastery, as its structures looked especially impressive and mysterious against the backdrop of the majestic nature. The lake with the sonorous name Ladoga also inspired fairy tales. Such masters of painting as F.A.Vasiliev, A.I. Kuindzhi, N.K. Roerich, I.I.Shishkin worked here.
Industry on the lake
The lake is used for the passage of ships, whose routes along it are sections of the Volga-Baltic route and the White Sea-Baltic channel. The weather on the lake is very changeable and often ships are threatened by storms, high waves, therefore, the navigation is periodically suspended. Once there was even a widespread expression that if a sailor had not sailed on Ladoga, then he was not a real sailor yet. Such a phenomenon as complete calm is quite rare on this lake.
Various industrial cargoes and construction materials are transported along Lake Ladoga. Also, passenger ships and cruise liners go here, for the most part these are tourist routes.
On an industrial scale, about 10 species of fish are caught here, such as smelt, pike perch, whitefish. Not far from the lake there are industrial enterprises: a paper and pulp mill, aluminum, oil and chemical industries, etc.
Secrets and secrets of the bottom of Lake Ladoga
At the bottom of the lake there are many interesting researchers and lovers of various secrets and secrets of things. Of course, the best luck is to find something very ancient, dating back to the Vikings. But the most often found are artifacts that remain from the Second World War. They are better preserved and easier to find. For example, one of the sights of that time that attracted extreme tourists and divers is the so-called “Death Cove”, the bottom of which is practically covered with shell casings, since in 1941 a fierce battle took place here.
Amateur divers find sunken ships, wartime aircraft. Unlike sea water, fresh water does not destroy and spoil sunken things so much, which is why the findings of Lake Ladoga are so attractive.
Lake Ladoga, the largest freshwater lake in Europe, is located in the north-west of Russia, in a harsh region with majestic nature and rich history. It was here that the Russian statehood was born, the first Russian cities appeared.
The history of the lake, unique and rich nature - all this makes Lake Ladoga a valuable cultural object and a wonderful corner of Russia.
The origin of the lake
The lake was formed by the melting of the glacier, and this process lasted for several millennia. Several times the giant lake then merged with the waters of the ancient ocean, then again found itself surrounded by firmament. Finally, about three thousand years ago, a reservoir pressed by the shores broke through to the Baltic Sea by the Neva River.
The gradual formation of the lake is reflected in the unique bottom topography: if in the northern part of the lake the depth reaches 230 m, then in the “shallow” southern part - 20-70 m. The difference in the landscape is explained by the belonging of the reservoir to different natural zones. The Karelian (northern) coast lies on the Baltic crystalline shield, it is steep and rocky. The southern coast, located in the Leningrad region, consists of sedimentary rocks. The coast slopes gently under water, forming sandy shoals and beaches.
Lake Ladoga on the map looks like a trail of some giant beast. The length of the reservoir from north to south is 219 km, and from west to east - 138 km. The huge area of \u200b\u200bthe lake is over 18,000 sq. km - holds about 900 cubic meters. km of water. More than 40 rivers and streams fill it with their waters, and only one - the full-flowing Neva - flows out. Some rivers connect Lake Ladoga with other lakes - with Onega, Ilmen, Saima.
There are many islands on the lake - more than 660. In the north of the lake there are the famous Ladoga skerries - a magnificent necklace of a series of rocky islands separated by narrow straits. The main diamond of this natural phenomenon, stunning with its unique beauty, is the holy island of Valaam with the famous Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.
Lake history
Lake Ladoga occupies a special place in the history of our country. The name of the reservoir comes from the name of the ancient Russian city of Ladoga, but there is another version: on the contrary, the city is named after the lake. Until the 13th century, the lake was called “the great lake Nevo”. In Finnish, the word "nevo" means: "swamp", "bog".
Fateful events that are reflected in culture and history are associated with Lake Ladoga:
- the famous route from the Varangians to the Greeks passed through Ladoga;
- in the XIV century, Oreshek, the oldest Russian fortress, was built at the sources of the Neva;
- at the end of the 14th century, the largest Orthodox monasteries were erected on the islands - Valaam and Konevsky, famous for their missionary activities;
- the Novgorodians kept a military fleet here;
- battles of the Northern War of 1701-1721 took place on the lake and its shores;
- The road of life during the Second World War.
Since 1721, the coast of Lake Ladoga became completely Russian. Even then, Peter I appreciated the harsh nature of the lake, its treachery: complete calm in a few tens of minutes can be replaced by a real storm, and waves rise to a height of 4-5 meters. Such impermanence of the lake made the Russian emperor say the famous words that only those who walked on Ladoga can be considered a real sailor.
The road of life
There are tragic pages in the history of the lake that cause tears of joy and grief at the same time - this is a heroic chronicle of saving hundreds of thousands of human lives from besieged Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War.
The road of life through Lake Ladoga connected the dying city with the country and saved it from death. In the period from September 1941 to March 1944, 1,600 thousand tons of various cargoes were transported across the water and ice of the lake and more than 1,300 thousand people were evacuated.
In winter, goods and people were transported on the famous "lorries" - GAZ-AA ,. With the melting of the ice, navigation on the water began. In addition to 15 barges, metal ships, which were built in Leningrad, took part in navigation.
The road of life passed near the front line and needed protection. It was defended by anti-aircraft artillery divisions and fighter regiments, but thin ice and bombing destroyed about a thousand trucks.
In memory of the feat of Soviet people on the Road of Life, 7 monuments, 112 memorial pillars along the highway and railroad have been erected on the territory from Leningrad to Ladoga. The most famous of the monuments is the "Broken Ring" by architect V. G. Filippov. 
Why you need to visit Lake Ladoga
Ladoga is one of the many water bodies in our country, a visit to which will bring great pleasure. From year to year, in any season, thousands of fishermen, pilgrims and simply vacationers flock to the shores of the lake. Each of them has their own interests, but no one is left indifferent by the stunning beauty of the water surface, quaint islands, majestic shores and, of course, the harsh nature of the lake. You need to make friends with him, and then the relationship with the lake will last for many years, bringing a lot of impressions.
So why is it worth visiting the shores of the wonderful lake? These are perhaps the main reasons:
- ... The lake is home to over 50 species of fish, the most famous of which are salmon, whitefish, Ladoga smelt, pike perch. You can fish at any time of the year with consistently excellent results.
- Rich flora and fauna. The nature of Lake Ladoga is unique and diverse: here you can find southern plant species and tundra flora; hares, wolves, bears, elks and other species of animals are found in the forests, and the Ladoga seal lives in the north of the lake.
- Diving. Thanks to fresh and clean water, its low temperature, the artifacts of the past lying at the bottom are perfectly preserved and are of scientific and research interest.
- Curious natural phenomena: mirages, brontids (underground hum).
- Visiting holy places.
- Developed tourist infrastructure.
- Relaxation on sandy beaches.
- Complete absence of mosquitoes.
Lake Ladoga - mysterious, majestic and beautiful, will always attract thousands of tourists seeking to experience its harsh beauty. The richness of the waters and shores, the bizarre landscape and the history of the lake amaze the imagination and fill hearts with love for Russia, its nature and culture.
Europe is renowned for its beauty and appeal. Its nature has more than once become the property of songs and legends, fairy tales and poems, compositions and stories. Among all the diversity, water spaces stand out. Lake Ladoga is a striking representative. Its main difference from other water bodies is its rich flora and fauna.
general characteristics
Lake Ladoga is called the largest in all of Europe. Its area exceeds 18 thousand square kilometers. It is interesting that 457 kilometers of water area is occupied by the islands of Lake Ladoga, which in themselves are not so large. For example, the area of \u200b\u200bthe largest land areas located in the middle of the lake surface does not exceed one hectare. And there are more than 650 of them. Nature has arranged the islets so that over 500 of them are located in the northwestern part of the lake.
The rocky islands are distinguished by their bizarre shape and unusual outlines. Their height is 60-70 meters. It is especially interesting to observe the harmonious combination of coastline and island lines. The islands are separated by numerous bays, which cut into land areas.
Mother Nature has been working for more than one millennium on the artistic and aesthetic design of this corner of the globe. Lake Ladoga is one of the oldest water bodies. In its lifetime, it has seen a lot, experienced amazing events, which can be judged by the numerous remains and remains on its shores and bottom.
New research has made it possible to find out more accurate parameters of the water body. Lake Ladoga is 83 kilometers wide and 219 kilometers long. Without an island territory, it occupies a total of 17578 square kilometers, which allows us to call it the largest European lake.
The length of the coastline exceeds one and a half thousand kilometers. Scientists managed to calculate the coefficient of its irregularity. It is 2.1, which suggests the presence of multiple bays. The bowl of the lake has an impressive capacity, which is 908 cubic kilometers.
Depth of the lake
The depth of Lake Ladoga is 51 meters on average. However, if we talk about the largest, then the figure already rises to 230 meters. The map of the depths of Lake Ladoga can be judged about impressive indicators. It usually marks the areas that are considered the deepest.
The bottom topography is not uniform. Therefore, it is not surprising that the depth of Lake Ladoga is different throughout its entire water area. For example, in the southern part, the bottom is even and smooth. This contributes to a decrease in depth. The decrease is observed from north to south. In the northern part, the depth reaches 10-100 meters, and in the southern part, this value is an order of magnitude lower and varies in the range from 3 to 7 meters. The bottom is distinguished by rocky spits and shoals, you can even find clusters of boulders.
Bottom relief
In general, such differences in depth are explained by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the bottom. This, in turn, is due to its impressive length. The geological structure also leaves its mark on the lake basin and its appearance. Interestingly, the bottom topography seems to resemble islands. He copies them exactly. Thus, at the bottom of the lake one can observe mountains and plains, depressions and potholes, hills and slopes.
Most often, depressions up to 100 meters deep prevail. There are more than 500 of them in the northwestern part of the lake. It is interesting that such formations are concentrated in groups. And they, in turn, create a kind of labyrinth of bays. This phenomenon is called skerries. The map of the depths of Lake Ladoga allows you to verify this.
The slope of the lake has an average of 0.0105, and the angle averages 0.35 degrees. This value near the northern coast is already 1.52 degrees, and at the eastern one - 0.03. This is also considered a fairly important indicator.
Animal world
In a country like Russia, Lake Ladoga plays a huge role. It is called the supplier of drinking water for the northern capital of the state - St. Petersburg. However, in addition to this, a huge number of a wide variety of animals live in Ladoga. The main place among them, of course, is occupied by fish.
To date, more than 58 species and species of fish are known to exist in the waves of Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that there are those who are "guests" in Ladoga. These include conger eel, Baltic salmon and sturgeon. They only occasionally swim into the waters of the lake. Their permanent habitat is the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic.
Unfortunately, due to the massive fish catching today, not all of its former inhabitants are left to live in Ladoga. Sometimes representatives of the fish kingdom disappear for no apparent reason. For example, sterlet. In Ladoga waters, it is no longer found, and the researchers have not found the reasons for this.
New species
But new inhabitants appeared in the lake. They are represented by peled and carp. The latter appeared in Ladoga relatively recently - in 1952-1953. The reason for this was that it was bred in the nearby Lake Ilmen. The fate of the peled was similar. She "wandered" to Ladoga from the Karelian Isthmus, where she was actively cultivated in the late 50s of the last century.
In addition, fish such as char, salmon, pike perch, whitefish, bream, trout, ripus and vendace can be found in the waters. They are distinguished by their value in the field of industry. These species are called commercial. There are also less valuable inhabitants of the lake. Among them are roach, smelt, pike, ruff, blue bream, bleak and silver bream. They are considered to be no less tasty, but their use in food is represented in smaller volumes.
Probably, it is impossible to name really all the fish that are found in the waters of Lake Ladoga. There are so many inhabitants there that work on their detection and study continues now.
On the verge of extinction
Some fish of Lake Ladoga are now on the verge of extinction. Among them there are those that are considered valuable in the industrial field. The clearest example is salmon. In Ladoga, there are individuals weighing more than 10 kilograms. They are real giants. Interestingly, fish go to spawn in late spring and summer. Young animals live there for no more than a couple of years, and then return to the lake.
Now the rivers are littered with lumber, so salmon spawning has become difficult. In this regard, it was decided to suspend the massive fish catch. The corresponding law was passed back in 1960.
Palia is another valuable fish. She lives in the northern part of the lake. In winter, it can be found at a depth of more than 70 meters, and in warm months it rises to 20-30. Reproduction takes place in the middle of autumn.
Live in Ladoga and whitefish. Now there are seven varieties in the lake. Four of them, namely lake Ladoga, Ludog, black and Valaam, are considered exclusively river, and three others - Svir, Vuoksinsky and Volkhov - can live both in the lake and in the river. On average, during the breeding season, each individual lays about nine thousand eggs in October and November.
More recently, people were massively engaged in catching whitefish, and now this species is on the verge of extinction. A peculiar reason for this can be called the construction of the Volkhovskaya HPP dam. The fish could not overcome such an obstacle, and the measures taken by the people for this did not save the situation.
Rivers of Lake Ladoga
Now let's talk about waterways.
The rivers of Lake Ladoga are very numerous. This allows us to speak about its wide drainage basin. Its area exceeds 250 thousand square kilometers. Not every lake can boast of such figures.
Finland and Karelia, located nearby, share their water resources with Ladoga, rivers also carry their waves from Novgorod, Pskov and Vologda lands. Water bodies of the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad regions make their contribution.
In total, about 45 thousand streams and rivers flow into Lake Ladoga. It is interesting that before becoming a part of Ladoga, river waters accumulate in the nearest lakes, including Saime, Onega and Ilmen. They, in turn, allow the formation of such tributaries of the main Ladoga as the Volkhova, Vuokse and Svir. In total, they bring more than 57 cubic kilometers of water into the lake per year. This accounts for approximately 85 percent of the total water mass that accumulates in the geographic object under consideration for a year.
All other tributaries are called small. There is no explanation for this, because among them there are also such impressive deep rivers as Janisjoki, Syas and Tulemajoki.
It should be understood that the tributaries of the Ladoga are quite young - by river standards - in age. They are only 10-12 thousand years old. That is why most of them have not yet formed wide valleys. They flow among rocky terrain and steep banks.
The Baltic crystalline shield lies in the north-eastern part of the lake. That is why the deepest and loudest tributaries flow into Ladoga from the other side. Very often they turn into full-flowing stormy streams, meeting on their way rocks that are difficult to wash out.
Svir tributary
Lake Ladoga is located in Russia, and the Svir is called its most full-flowing stream. This river flows out of the Svir Bay of Onega Lake, and flows into Ladoga from the southeast.
Its length is about 224 kilometers. The river includes two large tributaries called Pasha and Oyat. It is interesting that the origin of this object is still shrouded in secrets and riddles.
The Svir river itself and its banks are not distinguished by the picturesque nature inherent in Ladoga. The description of Lake Ladoga tells about the amazing beauty of its shores, which Svir cannot boast of. Its coast is covered with alder bushes and boggy plants, and coniferous forests are found. Basically, the banks of the Svir River are accumulations of stones and boulders.
In ancient times Svir was famous for its numerous rapids. They could not be called tall, but the heaps of boulders presented a serious obstacle to navigation. Local residents very often rescued sailors, helping them to cope with the crossings. Very often, residents of coastal villages and towns themselves served as sailors, pilots and even captains. The proximity to the deep river has left its mark on the character and lifestyle of people.
But if we talk about the animal world, then it is large enough. It is in the waters of this river that salmon spawn is often observed. In the spring you can meet schools of these fish, which head to the mouth of the Svir. The Oyat and Pasha tributaries play the main role in spawning. Ichthyologists believe that it is these rivers that can contribute to the revival of salmon in Lake Ladoga.
When to visit
Over its centuries-old history, Lake Ladoga has been shrouded in secrets, riddles and legends. All this, of course, attracts numerous tourists. People also go to Ladoga to admire the amazing beauty of nature, to see firsthand one of the largest lakes in the world.
In order not to miscalculate, you should know when it is best to go, what time to give preference.
A trip here in May and June will be hazy in the truest sense of the word. In late May and early June, thick fogs descend on Ladoga, it is quite easy to get lost in them. In such cases, it is very important to take experienced guides with you who will help you get on the right path and see all the surrounding beauty.
This time is considered cold enough for those places. In the evening, the skerries can be covered with a thin crust of ice, and the wind brings dampness. A few hours after sunny weather are of particular interest. At such moments, the lake shines with tranquility and attractiveness. However, the next moment a breeze comes. It causes meter waves in bays, although the lake off the coast continues to be peaceful.
One of the most striking advantages of this time, of course, after the attractive appearance of the coastal area, is the complete absence of mosquitoes. The extraordinary purity of the lake is also called a virtue. The bottom, even at a depth of several meters, is very clear. It is believed that if you drink water at such a moment, then happiness will not be long in coming. The water itself is clean and tasty.
Those people who value comfort and coziness should visit Ladoga in the last two months of summer. This period is considered the best for a good rest. In this case, the air and water temperature exceeds the optimal mark, allowing you to swim in the waves of the lake and sunbathe on the shore. On the islands, you can pick berries and mushrooms, which are abundant there.
Those people who travel to Ladoga in order to admire the local beauties should choose the autumn months, when literally the entire coast is cast in gold and bronze. In October, the weather deteriorates accompanied by fogs and storms. At times like these, many painters and landscape painters can be found here. They try to capture the exuberant beauty of Ladoga.
Lake Ladoga in winter is also an interesting sight. However, it is quite cold here at this time of the year. But the middle of the lake does not freeze even in severe frosts due to the impressive depth.
Those people who want to visit this corner of our vast Motherland should look for Lake Ladoga on the map. Many travel companies offer entire routes. If you wish, you can choose one of the proposed ones or make your own.
A trip to the shores of Lake Ladoga will surely be remembered by everyone. This area is distinguished by the amazing beauty of nature at any time of the year, the variety of flora and fauna, as well as the opportunity to have a great rest.
In the European part of Russia, in the Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region.
The ancient name of the lake is Lake Nebo (Nestorov Chronicle of the 12th century), and in the old Scandinavian sagas and agreements with Hanseatic cities, the lake is called Aldoga. The modern name of the lake appeared at the beginning of the 13th century, there are several versions of its origin, but none of them has been unambiguously confirmed.
Ladoga is the largest freshwater lake in Europe, the largest lake in Karelia and the Leningrad region and the third lake in Russia (after the Caspian Sea and Baikal) in terms of water surface area. The area of \u200b\u200bLake Ladoga with islands is 18.3 thousand km 2, the water surface is 17.9 thousand km 2, the volume is 838 km 3, the length is 219 km, the maximum width is 125 km, the length of the coastline is 1570 km, the maximum depth is 230 m in the northern part the basin between the Valaam and Western archipelagos of the islands, the height of the water surface above sea level is 5.1 m. Lake Ladoga was formed about 10 thousand years ago, after the filling of the basin stretched from northwest to southeast with water from the melting edge of the ice sheet. Its northern shores are composed of crystalline rocks, high and highly dissected; the peninsulas continue in chains of islands, forming a skerry type of coast. To the south, the coast becomes low and flat, bordered by narrow beaches with boulders, in small bays overgrown with near-water vegetation. The southern part of the coast consists of three large shallow bays: Svirskaya Bay and Volkhovskaya Bay, into which the largest tributaries flow, and Petrokrepost Bay with the source of the Neva. There are more than 660 islands in Lake Ladoga, the largest are Riekkalansari (55 km 2), Mantinsari (39 km 2), Kilpole (32 km 2), Tulolansari (30 km 2) and Valaam (28 km 2). Lake Ladoga is the main body of water in the European system of great lakes, which includes lakes Saima (Finland), Onega and Ilmen. The waters of this system flow down the Neva into the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. The catchment area of \u200b\u200bLake Ladoga is 282.7 thousand km 2, including the catchment areas of these three lakes and many more small ones, with a small own drainage basin equal to 48.3 thousand km 2 (17%).
Every year, Lake Ladoga receives an average of 83 km 3 of water, 70% of which is lake water masses flowing along the river. Svir from Lake Onega, along the river Vuokse from the lake. Saimaa and along the river. Volkhov from the lake. Ilmen. The flow of each of them is regulated by the hydroelectric power station and is about 20 km 3 / year. Another 16% is the tributary of 16 small rivers and 14% is atmospheric precipitation. 9% of the water in the expenditure part of the water balance evaporates, the rest of the water is the runoff of the river. Not you. The water exchange time is about 10 years. The average range of intra-annual changes in the water level in Lake Ladoga is 69 cm (from 21 in the low-water 1940 to 126 cm in the high-water 1962).
The main tributaries of Lake Ladoga (large and medium rivers)
| Inflow | Length | Basin area (km 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Swir | 220 | 83200 |
| Volkhov | 224 | 80200 |
| Vuoksa | 156 | 68700 |
| Syas | 260 | 7330 |
| Janisjoki | 70 | 3900 |
| Olonka | 87 | 2620 |
In the spring, after ice clearing of the south coast bays at the end of April - the first half of May, the coastal shallow waters are intensively warmed up by the already warm air and solar radiation, as well as the relatively warm water of the floods of small rivers. The water temperature in the southern area of \u200b\u200bthe water area usually rises above 4 ° С by May 15, and 2.5-3 ° С on the surface of the deep-water area. A thermal bar () appears between warm and cold water masses. With further water heating, the thermobar moves to the center slowly along the northern steep slope (0.05–0.1 km / day) and faster along the southern gentle slope at a speed of 1.3–1.5 km / day. It prevents the mixing of river water masses with the main water mass itself. Therefore, the Volkhov flood waters and Svir waters move to the north along the eastern coast, and the least mineralized Saimaa waters from the mouth of the river. Vuoksi along the western bank to the south and further to the Neva. The thermobar disappears in late June - early July near the Valaam archipelago, when the surface water layer 20–40 m thick warms up to 10–15 ° С. Under the lower layer of the temperature jump, in summer, from a depth of 30–40 m and to the bottom, water heats up only to 5 ° C. With autumn cooling, its upper layer cools down, the temperature jump layer submerges until October, and then disappears at a temperature close to 4 ° C. The time of the disappearance of the thermobar is variable, because when the windy weather sets in in summer, drift currents and waves mix the river water masses and the main lake water in the upper layer, renewing its chemical composition and leveling the distribution of plankton over the water area. In summer, this water mass dominates in the runoff of the Neva, and during the freeze-up period, the most mineralized Volkhov waters are added to it. With a wind of 18 m / s near the Valaam Islands, the wave height reached 5.8 m, surges in the windward sections of the coast raise the water by 0.2–0.5 m. Shallow waters freeze in October, and the edge of the ice cover gradually shifts to the deepest central region until mid-January, when full freeze-up occurs in frosty winters, continuing until the end of February. In winters with frequent thaws, the lake partially freezes, and 20–40% of its surface above the greatest depths remains open. In such winters, the heat storage of the main water mass is minimal, and its spring-summer heating is longer.
Mineralization of the main water mass is low (64 mg / l), Svir - even less, Vuoksinskaya - half as much, and Volkhovskaya - 1.5 times more. Over the past 30 years of the XX century. the mineralization of the lake's waters increased by 16% due to natural causes and pollution by sewage. The composition of the water is hydrocarbonate-sulphate-calcium, the water is transparent, due to which the development of plankton is possible to a depth of 8–12 m. In Volkhov Bay, the transparency of the polluted water is half as much. The oxygen content in the Ladoga water is high, and in its surface layer there was even a supersaturation with oxygen released during the reproduction of microalgae. Self-purification of water masses is facilitated by coastal thickets of higher aquatic vegetation (more than 100 species), mainly reeds, which occupy about 5% of the shallow water area. In total, about 600 species of aquatic plants and 400 species of aquatic animals were found in Lake Ladoga, many of which feed on phytoplankton, bacteria and other organic particles that pollute the water. Ichthyofauna is very diverse (53 species and varieties), it consists of salmon, lake trout, lake whitefish, char, pike perch, vendace, etc., the total biomass is estimated at 140 kg / ha. Atlantic sturgeon and Volkhov whitefish are listed in the Red Book of Russia. The most fish-producing shallow waters to a depth of 10-15 m in the southern region, where fish are fished, are the least fish-producing northern skerries. There are no commercial fish aggregations deeper than 40–50 m.
Lake Ladoga serves as a source of water supply for St. Petersburg, as a waterway to the White Sea-Baltic and Volga-Baltic shipping canals. In 1976-1983. the anthropogenic impact on the lake has sharply increased due to the development of industry and agriculture on the territory of its own drainage basin of Lake Ladoga and its coast. In order to reduce pollution of lake waters in 1986 north of the mouth of the river. Vuoksy closed the large Priozersk pulp and paper mill, after which there was a tendency to a decrease in the content of polluting organic substances and phosphorus in the water, causing water bloom - the reproduction of blue-green algae. Regular studies of the water regime, the chemical composition of water, and the ecological state of lake water masses, begun in 1957, are underway.
On the shores of Lake Ladoga, there are the cities of Priozersk, Novaya Ladoga, Shlisselburg in the Leningrad Region, Sortavala, Pitkyaranta, Lakhdenpohja in the Republic of Karelia.
