Blue Lake (Podlubovo)

Blue Lake (Bashkir: Zängär kül) is a small spring-fed lake in the Karmaskalinsky District of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, by the village of Podlubovo, about 40 km south of Ufa as the crow flies. Since 2003 it has been protected as a hydrological natural monument of regional significance, known for its clear, light-blue water.

The lake is fed by an underground spring, so the water is cold, around +6 °C. Its blue tint and exceptional clarity come from dissolved minerals, trace elements and carbonates, and the water is also high in strontium and sulphates.

• area: 400 m²
• diameter: up to 25 m
• depth: 5.5 m (other sources give up to 8 m)
• shape: irregular, roughly round

The lake lies 1 km west of Novomusino, next to Ozyornaya Street in Podlubovo; its exact location is given by the coordinates on this page. Being close to Ufa, it is a popular weekend spot for city residents and people from the surrounding villages. The lake is small and cosy, but it gets crowded at weekends.

The area around it has been landscaped and the banks reinforced with wooden piles. The large number of visitors puts heavy pressure on nature: litter builds up on the banks and on the lake bed. To keep the natural monument as it is, take all your rubbish with you.