Lake Peipus

Lake Peipus Peipsi-Pihkva järv Чудско-Псковское озеро
Landsat satellite photo
Location	Estonia, Russia
Coordinates	58°41′N 27°29′ECoordinates: 58°41′N 27°29′E
Primary sources	Emajõgi, Velikaya
Primary outflows	Narva
Catchment area	47,800 km²
Basin countries	Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Belarus
Surface area	3,555 km²
Average depth	7.1 m
Max. depth	15.3 m
Water volume	25 km³
Shore length1	520 km
Surface elevation	30 m
Islands	Piirissaar, Kolpin, Kamenka
Settlements	Mustvee, Kallaste
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Lake Peipus (Estonian: Peipsi-Pihkva järv, Russian: Чудско-Псковское озеро (Chud Lake), German: Peipussee) is a large fresh water lake, on the border between Estonia and Russia in Northern Europe. It is the fifth largest lake in Europe, after Lake Ladoga and Lake Onega in Russia north of St. Petersburg, Lake Vänern in Sweden, and Lake Saimaa in Finland. Lake Peipus is a remnant of a bigger body of water which existed in this area during an Ice Age. It covers 3,500 km², and has an average depth of 7 m, the deepest point being 15 m. The lake has several islands and consists of 3 parts:

• Lake Peipsi (Estonian: Peipsi järv, Russian: Чудское озеро) is the Northern part of the lake. It covers 2670 km².
• Pskov (Pihkva) Lake (Estonian: Pihkva järv, Russian: Псковское озеро) is the Southern part of the lake. It covers 710 km².
• Warm Lake (Estonian: Lämmijärv, Russian: Тёплое озеро) is the sound connecting both parts of the lake. It covers 170 km².

The lake is used for fishing and recreation, but suffered from severe environmental degradation from Soviet era industry. Some 30 rivers and streams discharge into the Lake Peipus. Largest rivers are Emajõgi and Velikaya River. Lake is drained by Narva River. In 1242 it was the site of the Battle of Lake Peipus (known in Russia as Battle on the Ice) between the Teutonic Knights and Novgorodians under Alexander Nevski.

Harbor at Mustvee, Estonia. July 25, 2007.

Shoreline at Mustvee, Estonia. July 25, 2007.

References