Ostrivske Lake, or Ostrovia, is a karst lake near the village of Ostrivsk in the north of Rivne Oblast. It got its name from the island in the middle of the water surface. The water here is clean and transparent, the shores are sandy and covered with forest, and the lake itself stands apart from rivers, so it has a calm, almost mountain-like character.
Size and Depth
The length of the lake is about two kilometers, the width is 700 meters, and the area is over a hundred hectares. The average depth is seven meters. The basin is elongated and oval. The lake is fed only by groundwater and has no outflow. It freezes in winter.
The northern and eastern shores are swampy and difficult to access, while the western and southern ones are firm and sandy, making it convenient to approach the water right there. An estate called Ostrivok once stood by the lake.
Fish and Birds
Eels, bream, pike, and perch inhabit the lake. Birds nest on the shores. Locals have been fishing here for a long time, and for travelers, this is a great place to swim in clean water surrounded by forest.
Ostrivsk and Neighboring Lakes
The village of Ostrivsk stands in the forest right on the shore of the lake. Its foundation dates back to 1820. Residents have long lived off the forest: they gather berries and mushrooms, fish, and keep apiaries. A track of the Polissian narrow-gauge railway, locally called "Kukushka", passes through the village. A documentary film titled "2033 Kilometers from the Eiffel Tower" was shot about everyday life and Easter in Ostrivsk.
Not far from the village, there are three more picturesque lakes — Velyke (96 hectares), Serednie (12), and Khoromne (40). Together with the coastal lowlands and forest, they are part of the Ostrivske Hydrological Reserve. The water surface of Ostrivske Lake itself lies at an altitude of 146 meters above sea level.
Fishing
Bream, pike, and perch are caught in Ostrivske Lake. The eel also lives here — it is listed in the Red Book, so it is released. The water is clean and transparent, with an average depth of seven meters. The northern and eastern shores are swampy and barely accessible, so it is better to fish from the firm sandy southern or western shore, or from a boat. General fishing rules apply, and starting November 1, fishing in wintering pits is prohibited — list and map of pits.
Ostrivsk on Video
Nearby
Zarichne and Nobel Lake are nearby. More can be found in the article Varash Raion.
How to Get There
Ostrivsk is located in Varash Raion, along the road from Varash to Zarichne. It is best to swim from the southern or western shore.
