Silicate Lakes (Lipetsk)

Silicate Lakes are the most popular spot among Lipetsk residents for swimming, fishing and walks: four lakes with clear spring water, formed in former quarries that supplied silicate sand to the Lipetsk Silicate Plant, in the Left Bank District of Lipetsk, Russia. Entry is free. The lakes lie between Osenny Proezd to the west and the village of Silikatny to the east, on the left bank of the Voronezh River; sand mining here continued until the 1990s, after which the pits filled with groundwater and springs.

Four lakes

Each of the four lakes has its own character. The western lake is the most popular and accessible: no more than 750 metres from Osenny Proezd to the water. It stretches from northeast to southwest, with two sandy beaches on its northern and southern shores. Beach coordinates: 52.609° N, 39.666° E.

The northern lake is narrow and elongated, with a wide sandy spit, and connects to the Voronezh River. Access from the western shore is limited by a steep bank, so most visitors enter from the side of Silikatny village. The two eastern lakes are the smallest, surrounded by the village's houses; their shores are overgrown with sedge and reeds, leaving few spots for comfortable swimming, which is why locals prefer to fish there instead.

In 2004 the two lakes nearest the Gryazi highway were fenced off with barbed wire and given over to a shooting range complex.

Swimming and safety

Silicate Lakes are wild beaches with no lifeguards and no official swimming-zone status. The spring-fed water stays cold at depth even on the hottest day. The bottom is uneven: individual lakes range from 7 to 20 metres deep and from 7 to 45 hectares in area, with underwater holes and cold springs. Swimming calls for caution, especially with children.

Fishing

The lakes hold crucian carp, perch, roach, pike and crayfish. Anglers using fish finders report that fish stay at a depth of 2–4 metres, making fishing from a boat more effective. Silicate Lakes and the adjoining stretch of the Voronezh River lie within a protected area, which restricts fishing methods.

The litter problem

The main drawback is litter. Despite the natural beauty, the shores suffer from the large influx of visitors. Volunteers and local residents regularly organise clean-ups, but the problem returns year after year for lack of bins and organised infrastructure.

Getting there

By car: head to the Left Bank District, onto Zoi Kosmodemyanskoy Street, then along Osenny Proezd towards the forest. Turn-off coordinates for the western lake's beach: 52.609° N, 39.666° E. Cars are left along the road or in makeshift lots by the forest. By public transport: buses and minibuses to stops in the Left Bank District, then on foot through the forest.