Characteristics and features of Lake Kyzyl-Yar in Crimea
Lake Kyzyl-Yar is located in the western part of the Crimea peninsula, 10 km from the city of Saki. It belongs to the group of salt lakes in Evpatoria. The nearest settlements, which you can navigate along the road, are Novofyodorovka and Ivanovka. The surface area of the lake is about 8 sq. km, maximum depth - 3.7 m. The uniqueness of this reservoir is that its lower deeper water layers remain salty, while closer to the surface the water is fresh.
History of origin
Translated from Tatar, the name Kyzyl-Yar sounds like "red cliff". Indeed, on the south side of the lake there is a rocky shore, which consists of stones of a reddish-brown hue. The distance from the surface of the water to the highest point is about 25 m. It is believed that this water formation appeared about 6 thousand years ago.
A possible reason for its appearance could be volcanic eruptions and, as a result, some movements of the earth's crust, as a result of which a depression was formed, which was flooded with sea water.
During its existence, brine has formed at the bottom of the reservoir - a water layer with a high salt content. Also, as a result of centuries of ebb and flow, the bottom was covered with a layer of black silt masses, the composition of which is similar to the famous therapeutic mud of Saki. True, due to the noticeable desalination of water in recent decades, the health-improving qualities of the silt masses in Kyzyl Yar have slightly decreased. The silt layer at the bottom is about 2.5 meters.
During the Crimean War in 1854, it was here that the Allied army landed, and it was from here that it began its historic offensive against Sevastopol. Considering that it is a little less than 100 kilometers from it to Novofyodorovka, this place can be called historical.Not far from the lake is the Tobe-Chokrak river (translated as “spring at the top”).
Until about the 80s of the last century, the lake was completely saline. However, such human intervention in natural processes as the uncontrolled discharge of fresh water from the North Crimean canal, as well as the proximity of the Mezhgorny reservoir and the influx of fresh water from there, significantly reduced the salt concentration.
As a result, the entire microclimate of the reservoir has changed, some species of flora and fauna have disappeared, but new representatives have appeared instead. In some places, the lake is overgrown with algae, which, when blooming, give the water a greenish or reddish tint. Today this facility is rented from a fish farm and is a local attraction that attracts vacationers.
Things to do?
Kyzyl-Yar is a very popular place among the guests of Crimea. On the northern coast, the slope is gentle, so it is always full of tourists. Sitting on it, you can get a beautiful tan, and the cool water will give you a feeling of freshness. If you approach the lake from the south, then very picturesque views open from the steep cliffs.
One of the indisputable advantages of Kyzyl-Yar is its proximity to the sea. Therefore, most often come here who want to combine healing mud treatments with outdoor activities and fishing. There are many types of fish in Kyzyl-Yar: from small roach and small perches to more solid specimens such as carp.
Fishing on the lake is free, with the exception of the Upper - here you will have to pay about 200 rubles for the pleasure of fishing (2019). When paying, you should be vigilant and demand from the fundraiser an official certificate that gives him the right to charge a fee, as well as a receipt, where the name and surname of the person who paid must be indicated.
Fish are allowed to be caught only with a fishing rod, however, here you can always see many fishing nets, placed by poachers along the coast.
Such a number of nets greatly reduces the quality of fishing, so poachers are periodically chased, but there are still a lot of them here. During the day, the catch is practically zero, and many prefer to spend the night on the lake. You can spend the night in your own or rented tent - there is an equipped camping camp on the coast. You can also find accommodation in the nearest settlements.
On weekends, there is often not enough space for everyone, so it is best to go here on weekdays, or even better to take a boat and sail away from the bustle of the coast. If you decide to start a fire, it is recommended to take care of firewood in advance - this is a problem on the coast. When going on a trip, do not forget to take mosquito repellent with you, there are especially many of them near the reservoir.
There are no restrictions on the amount of fish caught. But there are rules according to which no more than 2 fishing rods can be used by one person at the same time. If you know some of the secrets of fishing, you can get a great catch.
The people here are mostly friendly, so even if you are a complete beginner, you can always find seasoned fishermen who will share their secrets. For example, some advise using semi-boiled potatoes as bait for fishing carp, but crucian carp bites better on an ordinary earthworm.
It is believed that the best bite in Kyzyl-Yar is from early May to late September. In the autumn-winter period, there are often strong winds in this area, which greatly interferes with fishing.
If you are indifferent to fishing, in the village of Novofyodorovka, located in the immediate vicinity of the lake, you can find all the traditional attributes of seaside resorts: small cafes, karaoke bars, restaurants, street trading and other entertainment.
And in the evening, after noisy parties, you can come to the shore of the lake and enjoy the unity with nature.Some daredevils try to jump from a sheer cliff located on one of the coast.
However, it is strongly discouraged to do this, since the depth of the lake is not large enough, and such a "feat" can be very dangerous.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to the lake is by car. In this case, you should be careful not to drive into the dam - you can get stuck in the sticky sand. From Simferopol to Kyzyl-Yar about 50 km. The road is winding, often winds, on the way you should be guided by such settlements as Razdolye, Teplovka, Frunze. Experienced autotourists strongly recommend those who come here for the first time not to try to drive a car all the way to the water, as there is a high risk of getting bogged down in the shifting sandy ground.
In addition, it is forbidden to put any vehicles on the sand - this damages the ecology of the area. Local fishery authorities monitor violations and have the right to issue a fine. The maximum that is allowed is for the car to stand on the sand with at least two wheels, and on the road with two wheels. This way she is less likely to get stuck and the driver will not receive a fine.
It is best to leave your car on the roadway, where there is a special parking lot, and walk to the water on foot. If you travel from Simferopol by public transport, specify which bus should go to Sevastopol, you should get to the Ivanovka stop. Then you need to walk a little and a little ahead, on the west side of the road there will be a famous lake.
An overview of the trip to Lake Kyzyl-Yar through the village of Frunze, see below.