Lake Turske, or Lake Tur, is one of the largest lakes in Volyn. It lies in the very north of the oblast, between the village of Tur and the urban-type settlement of Zabolottia, a few kilometres from the border with Belarus. This is not a resort lake with sandy beaches, but a wild Polissia expanse of water with reed islands where hundreds of birds nest. The lake is a protected tract.
Size and Depth
The area of Lake Turske is almost 13 square kilometres, its length is more than five kilometres, and its width is over three. It is very shallow: the depth is only about two metres. The water is brownish, with a marshy aftertaste, and the transparency is 30–40 centimetres. The bottom is covered with peaty silt, and only in the southeast is it sandy. The lake is likely of glacial origin and heavily overgrown near the shores.
Between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea
The most interesting thing about Lake Turske is its location. It lies in the valley of the Prypiat, which belongs to the Black Sea basin, just seven kilometres from the riverbed. But the lake itself is part of the Baltic Sea basin: through the Tur Canal, the water goes into Lake Orikhove, and from there via the Orikhove Canal to the Dnieper–Bug Canal and further to the Western Bug.
The Tur Canal was dug back in the late 19th century—it is the first amelioration canal of the then Volyn Governorate. The water level in the lake is still regulated by a sluice on this canal.
Birds
Lake Turske is a protected tract with an area of over 1300 hectares. Pike, crucian carp, perch, and roach reproduce here, and birds number over two hundred species. Among them are the mute swan, mallard, teals, common pochard, northern lapwing, black-tailed godwit, tern, great and red-necked grebes, Eurasian coot, little egret, and stork. Thus, Lake Turske is a good place for birdwatching, especially in spring and early summer.
Around
On the northwestern shore lies the village of Tur, on the southwestern shore the urban-type settlement of Zabolottia, and to the south Zalisy. The shores are low and peaty, so it is better to approach the water in places where there are paths and moorings. At the bottom of the lake are large reserves of sapropel.
Fishing
Lake Turske is a breeding ground for pike, crucian carp, perch, and roach. It is shallow and heavily overgrown near the shores, so fishing is mainly done from a boat along the edge of the reeds and near the reed islands. The water is brown and opaque, and the predator stays close to the vegetation. General fishing regulations apply.
Video
Tips
Bring binoculars and mosquito repellent. This is a border zone: have your documents with you.
Nearby
Zabolottia is a settlement on the shore of the lake, and Ratne is 22 kilometres to the south. More can be found in the article Kovel Raion.
How to Get There
Buses run to Zabolottia from Ratne and Kovel, as well as trains on the Kovel — Brest line. From Zabolottia to the lake is a few minutes' walk.
