Lakes of Yakutia

In Yakutia, there are about 800 thousand lakes. The vast majority of them are characterized by a small area and shallow depth. Only 32 lakes have an area of ​​more than 50 km² each, 10 of them - more than 100 km². The largest concentration of large lakes and generally lakes is observed in the north-east of the republic - within the Yano-Indigirskaya , Abyiskaya (Middle Indigirskaya) and Kolyma lowlands. The largest lakes in Yakutia by the area of ​​the water mirror are:

• Mogotoevo (323 km²) to NW from the mouth of the Indigirka River , Allaikhovsky District ;
• Bustakh (249 km²) in the far north of the Yano-Indigir lowland, Ust-Yansky district ;
• Nerpichye (237 km²), in the lower reaches of the Kolyma River , Nizhnekolymsky district ;
• Big Sea (205 km²) to the north-west from the mouth of the Kolyma, Nizhnekolymsky district;
• Ozhogino (157 km²) on the Central Indigir Lowland, on the border of the Allaihov and Aby districts;
• Soluntakh (131 km²) to the west of the Chroma Bay , Allaikhovsky District;
• Chukochye (120 km²) near Nerpichy, Nizhnekolymsky district;
• Pavylon (119 km²) in the southwestern part of the Kolyma lowland, Srednekolymsky district ;
• Ilirgytkin (115 km²) to C from the Bolshoi Morskoy, Nizhnekolymsky district;
• Nijili (115 km²) in the lower reaches of the Vilyui river, Kobiai district .

The depths of many lakes of Yakutia are still not well known. The measured depths of Lake Big Toko ( Neryungri district ) - 72 m, Muosany ( Suntarsky ulus ) - 64 m, Bilyakh (Suntarsky) - 52 m. Deep-water lakes are found in the intermontane basins - so, the depth of Lake Inkan ( Momsky ulus ) - 61 m, Lake Gate ( Oymyakon Ulus ) - 60 m, Lake Labynkyr (Oymyakon) - 52 m.

The most common type of lakes in Yakutia by formation method is thermokarst lakes; they abound in the plains and lowlands of Central and Northern Yakutia. These lakes were formed as a result of subsidence of the soil at the site of thawing of underground ice. Over time, these small and shallow lakes dry out and Alas appear in their place. The largest alasses of Central Yakutia are Muru , Tyungyulyu , Mooro, Maya, Bedyi, Tabaga, Hanga, etc.

Karst lakes are formed as a result of dissolution of rocks by water (limestones, gypsum, salt formations, etc.). These small but deep lakes are found on the territory of the Olekminsky and Suntarsky uluses. Muosany karst lake (Suntarsky) is one of the deepest lakes in the republic (64 m - measured depth).

River lakes are formed as a result of separation of the channel and sections of the old channel from the river, or when flooded by hollow waters of lowered sections. There are many such lakes in the valleys of large and medium rivers. Usually they are small and have an elongated or horseshoe-shaped, depth up to 5-10 m.

Lagoon lakes are formed offshore as a result of separation from the sea of ​​shallow bays and bays caused by fine-grained braids and embankments. Lakes Morskoye and Mogotoevo can serve as an example of lagoon lakes.

Tectonic lakes are occupied by faults in the earth's crust resulting from mountain building movements. Thus, the hollows of Lake Labynkyr (45 km²) were formed in the upper reaches of the Indigirka Lake, the Big and Small Tokko Lakes in the Uchura basin. Tectonic lakes are characterized by great depths and elongation of form.

Glacial lakes are associated with areas of ancient and modern glaciation. They are divided into caravan, valley and moraine . Glacial lakes of various shapes and small sizes are widespread in the mountainous territory of the republic.

Among the mineral lakes, the most famous are Abalah in Megino-Kangalassky and Kempendyay in Suntar uluses. On the therapeutic mud of these lakes, popular resorts function among the population.

• Rivers of Yakutia
• Vilyui reservoir

• Sivtseva A.I., Mostakhov S.E. Geography of Yakutia. Yakutsk, 1968.
• Encyclopedia of Yakutia. T. 2. Yakutsk, 2007.