Lake basin type of Kronotskoye Lake. Kronotskoye Lake: a wonderful mirror of nature! Kronotskoye lake on video

Kronotskoe Lake

It is the first in terms of area (242 km²) and in terms of catchment area (2330 km²), the second in terms of volume (12.4 km³) and the third in terms of maximum depth(148 m) freshwater lake Kamchatka. The average depth is 51 m.

There are 11 scattered in the eastern part of the lake. picturesque islands rising 25-50 m above the water. All of them are named after the members of the Kamchatka complex expedition of the Russian Imperial Geographical Society F.P. Ryabushinsky: Komarov Islands, Konradi Islands, Bera Islands, etc.

On the islands, at a distance of 34 to 44 km from sea ​​coast, there are colonies of Pacific gulls with a total number of about 600 pairs. Similar nesting sites for this species on water bodies so far from the sea coast are known only for lakes Kuril and Azhabachye. Brown bears swim to the islands to feast on the eggs of seagulls.

The lake freezes over completely from late December to mid-May. Moreover, the thickness of the ice cover reaches 1 m.

A population of about 30 million kokanee (a resident form of sockeye salmon) has formed in the lake, which arose from the migratory sockeye salmon as a result of its long-term isolation. For the same reason, an isolated endemic group of loaches of three different types has formed in the lake, at least one of which, as a result of adaptation and specialization, is assessed as a new, separate species.

The discharge from the lake is carried out through the Kronotskaya River, which has powerful rapids for about 12 km of the upper course, preventing salmon from entering the lake. However, from the very source of the river for spawning every year, albeit in small quantities, river and anadromous Dolly Varden char. And, as a phenomenon, KamchatNIRO ichthyologists have recorded several cases of coho salmon entering the lake.

The natural complex of the Kronotskoye Lake basin is of particular value. It is here that an array of Kamchatka larch grows with small groups, more often - single Ayan spruce trees.

Nesting places of osprey and Steller's sea eagle are known in larch forests, and peregrine falcons, possibly gyrfalcons and golden eagles, nest in the mountains surrounding the lake.

Swans are an irreplaceable decoration and symbol of the lake.

Kronotskoye Lake is located in Kamchatka not far from the world famous Valley of Geysers, on the territory nature reserve... Those who have visited its shores will never forget the magnificent landscapes opening around, worthy of the brushes of the best artists.

Kronotskoye Lake - origin.

The area of ​​this unique reservoir, located at an altitude of 372 meters above sea level, is almost 250 km 2. About 10 thousand years ago, during the eruption of the volcano, lava and the products of the eruption blocked the channel of the ancient river. As a result of the formed dam, a lake appeared, which has the shape of an isosceles triangle and a depth of 148 m.

From the second half of May to the end of December, the waters of Lake Kronotskoye are free of ice. This natural reservoir receives food from rains, melting snows and 25 rivers and rivulets flowing into its waters. The largest of them are: Unana, Perevalnaya, Uzon, Severnaya and Larchnichnaya. The only river flowing out of the lake is called Kronotskaya. It has a strong and fast current with large and powerful rapids that prevent the Far Eastern salmon from reaching the reservoir for spawning.

Volcano Kronotskaya Sopka.

At a distance of 8 km from east coast rises 3528 meters above the Kronotskaya Sopka area, which is active volcano... Its lower slopes are overgrown with dwarf cedar and stone birch, and the top is decorated with eternal snows and glaciers. Lenticular clouds often swirl around the snow-white cap of the volcano, winding around it like layers of cotton candy. For ships sailing in the Pacific Ocean, Kronotskaya Sopka serves as a kind of beacon - its top can be seen at a distance of about 200 km.

Volcano Krashennikov.

Moving from the shores of the lake to the northeast, after 10 km you can get to the foot of the Krasheninnikov volcano, which is still active in our time. The absence of vegetation on the slopes and flows of barely solidified lava eloquently tell about his activities.

Volcano Shchapinskaya Sopka.

Another volcano that does not stop its work is the neighboring Shchapinskaya Sopka (Kizimen). Its eruption in 2009 led to the fact that the column of ejected ash rose 4 km upward, the water in Lake Kronotskoye warmed up to 13 о С (although usually the temperature did not exceed 5 о С), and the geysers in the valley became more active. In addition, in the dark near the summit, a glow of flowing lava was observed.

Flora and fauna of Kronotskoye lake.

On 11 islands, which rise above the surface of Lake Kronotskoye, colonies of Pacific gulls have found refuge. Despite the great distance from the ocean shores, the number of nesting sites exceeds 600 pairs. The brown bears that live on the peninsula sometimes swim here to get their fill of bird eggs.

Although the rapids located on the Kronotskaya River interfere with the passage of fish for spawning, kokani (a type of sockeye salmon), coho salmon and five species of char are quietly swimming in the waters of the lake.

The flora surrounding Kronotskoye Lake is unique in its composition. The age of some trees of Kamchatka larch, which grows only in this region, reaches several hundred years. Ayan spruce growing alone is also found here; there are frequent cases of the formation of small groups. Due to the fact that the closest locality located 50 km away, the nature has been preserved in its original form. Gyrfalcons, peregrine falcons and golden eagles nest in the mountains surrounding Lake Kronotskoye, and Steller's sea eagles and osprey nest in the larch thickets.

But the main decoration of Kronotskoye Lake has always been swans, which live here all year round. Over the years, they got used to people, they are not at all afraid of them and delight tourists with their stately appearance.

Excursion to Kronotskoye Lake.

It is impossible to get to the lake on your own. In order to admire the beauty of nature, you need to be part of the excursion group that goes to. On a multi-day hike, tourists are accompanied by specially trained employees who monitor the observance of safety measures and the conditions of stay in the protected area. It is necessary to preserve this corner as long as possible. untouched nature for posterity.

Kronotskoye Lake is the first freshwater lake in Kamchatka in terms of water surface area (242 sq. Km.). Average depth 50 meters, maximum 150 meters. 10 rivers flow into the lake, and one flows out - Kronotskaya.

By its origin, Lake Kronotskoye is a dammed reservoir formed as a result of the overlap of the ancient channel of the Paleokronotskaya River by powerful lava deposits from the eruptions of the Kronotsky and Krasheninnikov volcanoes.

For a long time it was believed that Lake Kronotskoye has a calderal origin, but today it is proved that the lake was formed about 10,000 years ago as a result of the dam of the Kronotskaya River valley with products of lava eruption.

There is a volcano 8 km east of the lake. Height is 3,528 meters, the top is a regular ribbed cone:

10 km south of Kronotskoye Lake there is Krasheninnikov volcano is a stratovolcano in the Kamchatka Territory of Russia. Volcano Krashennikov is considered active, as evidenced by fresh lava flows. In addition, nothing grows around the volcano, which also speaks of a recent eruption.

The last eruption happened 460 years ago. Absolute height- 1 856 meters:

Extinct Unana volcano... Absolute height - 2 192 meters:

The volcano's activity dates back to the Holocene period. About 8,500 years ago, a catastrophic eruption occurred on the volcano with the collapse of the cone slope and the formation of a summit crater 1.5 km in diameter. The last eruption took place about 2,400 years ago. The absolute height of the volcano is 2353 meters:

Active volcano Kizimen (Shchapinskaya Sopka). The volcano appeared 12,000 years ago and has a height of 2,485 meters. On November 11, 2010, a new eruption began, which is accompanied by the outpouring of a powerful lava flow.
In early January, the Kizimen volcano threw out a column of ash 4.5 kilometers above sea level. A volcanic tremor was recorded on the giant. In the dark, glowing lava was observed over the crater. Avalanches periodically break down from the slopes:

Lake Kronotskoye at various google maps, Yandex, OpenStreetMaps, Wikimapia, Public Cadastral Map Russian Federation, Map of hotels, and also other topographic, jpg maps. GPS coordinates: 54.79389, 160.24861.

Other names: Ozero Kronotskoye, Kronotski Lake, Lake Kronotskaya, Lake Kronotskoe, Ozero Kronotskoye.

Get directions through Lake Kronotskoye on Google or Yandex maps

Lake Kronotskoye on Google Maps

Lake Kronotskoye on OpenStreetMaps

Lake Kronotskoye on Wikimapia

And one of the most beautiful and picturesque. It slightly resembles a triangle in shape, and its area is almost 250 square kilometers... A dozen small rivers flow into the lake, and only two species of fish live here. The only river flowing out of it has several rapids that prevent any other fish from entering the lake, except for the sockeye and kokanee living in it.

However, it is not the size of the lake that attracts nature lovers, but the nature that surrounds it. On several sides, the lake is surrounded by high beautiful hills, the most notable of which are the Valaginsky ridge and the Kronotskaya Sopka Volcano, located 8 km from the lake. 10 km away there is another volcano - Krasheninnikov volcano, which is active. In the eastern part of the lake, there are a number of islands, the height of which reaches 50 meters above the water level in the lake, and most of them are chosen by gulls, the number of which here is close to thousands of pairs. Frequent guests of the reservoir and swans, however, it is not so easy to meet them, but it is quite possible.

The nature around the lake is unique in its composition, and most species are found only on the peninsula. The most common tree in local forests is Kamchatka larch, which can be hundreds or more years old. The nearest large settlement is located more than 50 kilometers from the lake, and the presence of man is not felt here at all, only wild and virgin nature.

And perhaps the lake would have become a favorite vacation spot for the inhabitants of the peninsula if it were not for one small detail - it is very cold, and at any time of the year and you can swim here only in very hot weather, and even then the water will be icy. However, if you are attracted by completely different values ​​in your vacation, for example, detachment and solitude with nature, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, then Kronotskoye Lake is perfect for a hike.

How to get there

Location: Kamchatka Peninsula

Independent visits to the lake are strictly prohibited, as they are located in a protected area. However, you can visit it by ordering or joining multi-day hike from a travel agency that has access to the region. All excursions are supervised by a state inspector and a special guide, because it is extremely important to comply with the conditions of stay in these places.