Donuzlav

Lake Donuzlav (Russian: Донузлав) also referred to as Donuzlav Bay is the deepest lake[1] of Crimea (27 m) and biggest in Chornomorske Raion (47 km²). It is a protected landscape and recreational park of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Donuzlav
Donuzlav Lake near Novoozerne
LocationCrimea
Coordinates45°20′N 33°00′E
Donuzlav Lake on the map

In practice it is no longer a lake but rather a bay since 1961, when a sandy spit (200–400 m wide) separating it from the Black Sea was dug out with a 200-metre width channel. The lake is as salty as the sea near its mouth but bottom springs make the water much more sweet near the head.

Overview

Donuzlav is well known for a top secret naval base that was established here in 1960s as the Soviet Crimean Naval Base. The base was particularly notable for housing air-cushioned landing crafts (Zubr class). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the base was passed to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was one of the three main naval bases as the Southern Naval Base (Ukraine). After the Russian annexation of Ukraine in 2014 the base was occupied by the Russian military that reinstated its previous name.

Donuzlav is located in Chornomorske and Saky raions (districts) at the Tarkhankut Peninsula[1] as well as Yevpatoria Municipality. Donuzlav is one of several lakes located around the peninsula. It is separated from the Black Sea by a 12 km (7.5 mi) long sandbar that has a width of 0.3 km (980 ft) to 1 km (3,300 ft).[1] Donuzlav is connected to the sea by a ship channel.[1]

A length of Donuzlav is 30 km (19 mi), a width is up to 8.5 km (5.3 mi), an area of 42 km2 (16 sq mi) and a depth is up to 27 m (89 ft).[1] It has several small bays.[1] Banks are high, steep, and winding.[1] At separate parts of the lake, a wetland vegetation is common (i.e. common reed, cattail, others).[1]

In the upper portion of the lakes are located two dams for fish farming, in the mid portion is a naval base.[1] On the banks there is a wind-powered energy station with 53 wind turbines.[1]

To the lake are headed several gulches (semi-dried streams) among which are Staryi Donuzlav, Donuzlav, Chernushka, and Burnuk.

Settlements

Crimean crisis

On March 5, 2014, during the Crimean crisis of 2014, Russian sailors scuttled two Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels, the anti-submarine ship Ochakov and the rescue tugboat Shakhter, at the entrance to Donuzlav Bay to prevent Ukrainian Navy ships from accessing the Black Sea.[2][3][4][5]

See also

Further reading
  • Yegiazarov, V. At Donuzlav. Notes of underwater hunter (На Донузлаве. Заметки подводного охотника). "Berega Tavridy", 2001.

References

Media related to Donuzlav at Wikimedia Commons

  1. Oliferov, A.M. Donuzlav (ДОНУЗЛА́В). Encyclopedia of Modern Ukraine.
  2. Defence Express 05.03.2014
  3. "Large ASW Destroyer "Ochakov" - Project 1134B / Kara class". Flot.sevastopol.info. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  4. "Спасательное буксирное судно "Шахтер" Черноморского Флота". Flot.sevastopol.info. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
  5. "В Крыму затоплен российский большой противолодочный корабль "Очаков" • Таймер". Timer.od.ua. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
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