Primorskoye Lake

Primorskoye Lake is an artificial body of water in the Nakhodka urban okrug of Primorsky Krai, on the shore of Peter the Great Gulf, the largest gulf of the Sea of Japan. The shallow lake, about 40 hectares in area, is linked to Prozrachnaya Bay by a narrow channel. Locals have long called it the Nakhodka Ritsa, after the famous Lake Ritsa in Abkhazia, although the two lakes have nothing else in common.

History

Unlike its Caucasian namesake, Primorskoye Lake is not natural but man-made. The name "Nakhodka Ritsa" was given to the future lake even before construction began, in June 1966, and construction itself started in March 1967. The project was initiated by S. N. Geyts, director of the Primorsky ship-repair yard, and designed by a branch of the "Primorgrazhdanproekt" institute under V. K. Susalyov. On 4 June 1967 a small river running through the site was dammed with an earthen embankment 400 metres long and 40 metres wide. Within a few months the lake basin took shape, keeping a connection to the sea through a narrow channel.

Geography

The lake lies in the southern part of the Nakhodka urban okrug, next to Prozrachnaya Bay of Peter the Great Gulf, to which it is joined by a channel. Because of this link the water stays slightly brackish, and its level partly follows the sea. Nearby, toward Cape Passeka, the coast turns hilly; a popular coastal route starts here, running from the lake past Cape Passeka to Progulochnaya Bay and used by both hikers and off-road drivers.

Recreation at the lake

Today Primorskoye Lake is one of Nakhodka residents' everyday recreation spots. In summer people fish from the shore and from boats; in winter, when the shallow lake freezes over, locals skate on the ice and even drive cars onto it. In recent years the shore has been developed with a promenade, a hotel and a restaurant, making the lake a place for walks as well as fishing.

Getting there

The lake lies within the Nakhodka urban okrug, away from the city centre. City bus No. 17 runs straight to the lake. By car it is a short drive from Nakhodka along the coastal road; on the way it is worth stopping at Cape Passeka and at the site of the former "Primorsky" camp, both a few kilometres from the lake.