Editing Lake Peipus

{{Short description|Lake on the Estonia-Russia border}}
{{Infobox lake
|name            = Lake Peipus
| native_name    = {{native name list |tag1=et|name1=Peipsi-Pihkva järv |tag2=ru|name2=Чудско-Псковское озеро}}
|image           = Lake Peipus, LandSat-8, 2016-10-20.jpg
|caption         = Landsat satellite photo
|location        = [[Estonia]], [[Russia]]
|coords          = {{Coord|58|41|N|27|29|E|type:waterbody_scale:2000000|display=inline,title}}
|type            =
|inflow          = [[Velikaya]], [[Emajõgi]], [[Avijõgi]]
|outflow         = [[Narva (river)|Narva]]
|catchment       = {{convert|47800|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|basin_countries = [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], and [[Russia]]
|length          =
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within Europe##Location within [[Baltic Sea]] region##Location within European Russia
|pushpin_map = Europe#Baltic Sea#European Russia
|width           =
|area            = {{convert|3555|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|depth           = {{convert|7.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|max-depth       = {{convert|15.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|volume          = {{convert|25|km3|cumi|abbr=on}}
|shore           = {{convert|520|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|elevation       = {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|islands         = [[Kamenka (island)|Kamenka]], [[Kolpina Island|Kolpina]], [[Piirissaar]]
|cities          = [[Kallaste]], [[Mustvee]]
}}
[[File:Drone video of Lake Peipus and Mustvee town in Estonia (July 2022).webm|thumb|Drone video of Lake Peipus and the town of [[Mustvee]] in July 2022]]

'''Lake Peipus'''<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/448876/Lake-Peipus Lake Peipus]. Encyclopædia Britannica online</ref>{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|eɪ|p|ʊ|s}}; {{langx|et|Peipsi-Pihkva järv}}, {{IPA|et|ˈpei̯psʲi ˈpʲihkʋɑ ˈjærʋ|IPA}}; {{langx|ru|Чудско-Псковское озеро}} or {{lang|ru|Псковско-Чудское озеро}}}} is the largest [[International waters|trans-boundary]] lake in [[Europe]], lying on the international border between [[Estonia]] and [[Russia]].<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/448876/Lake-Peipus Lake Peipus]. Encyclopædia Britannica online</ref>

The lake is the fifth-largest in Europe after [[Lake Ladoga]] and [[Lake Onega]] (in Russia), [[Vänern|Lake Vänern]] (in [[Sweden]]), and [[Lake Saimaa]] (in [[Finland]]).<ref>[https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/the-whispering-waters-of-estonia The whispering waters of Estonia] – Visit Estonia</ref>

It covers {{convert|3555|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, and it has an average depth of {{convert|7.1|m|abbr=on}}, the deepest point being {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name=bse>[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article122763.html Чудско-Псковское озеро], [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]</ref><ref name="Bolshie Lake Rossii">{{in lang|ru}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110722090955/http://geo.1september.ru/2006/04/31.gif Russian lakes with area of more than 350 km²]. (GIF table). Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref> The lake has several islands and consists of three parts:<ref>{{cite book |author1=Gulnara Roll |author2=Robben Romano |editor1-last=Ganster |editor1-first=Paul |title=Cooperation, Environment, and Sustainability in Border Regions |date=2001 |publisher=San Diego State University Press |location=San Diego |page=288 |chapter=Challenges and opportunities for Development of an Effective Transboundary Water Management Regime in the Lake Peipus Basin: The Estonian–Russian Border Area |quote=Lake Peipus .... consists  of three unequal parts: northern Lake Peipus ...; southern Lake Pskov ...; and the narrow, strait-like Lake Lämmi}}</ref>

{{anchor|Peipsi järv|Chudskoye ozero}}
*'''Lake Peipus / Chudskoye''' ({{langx|et|[[:et:Peipsi järv|Peipsi järv]]}}, {{langx|ru|[[:ru:Чудское озеро|Чудское озеро]]}}), the northern part of the lake, with an area of {{convert|2,611|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (73%){{anchor|Pskovskoye ozero|Pihkva järv}}
*'''Lake Pihkva / Pskovskoye''' ({{langx|et|[[:et:Pihkva järv|Pihkva järv]]}}, {{langx|ru|[[:ru:Псковское озеро|Псковское озеро]]}}), the southern part of the lake (area {{convert|708|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} or 20%){{anchor|Lämmijärv|Tyoploye ozero}}
*'''Lake Lämmi / Tyoploye''' ({{langx|et|[[:et:Lämmijärv|Lämmijärv]]}}, {{langx|ru|[[:ru:Тёплое озеро|Тёплое озеро]]}}), the sound connecting the other two parts of the lake (area {{convert|236|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} or 7%)

The lake is used for fishing and recreation, but suffered from [[environmental degradation]] from [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-era agriculture. Some 30 rivers and streams discharge into Lake Peipus, the two largest of which are the [[Velikaya]] and [[Emajõgi]]. The lake drains into the [[Gulf of Finland]] via the [[Narva (river)|Narva]] River.

On 5 April 1242, the frozen lake was the site of the [[Battle on the Ice]] (also known as the Battle of Lake Peipus) between the armies of the [[Novgorod Republic]] and the [[Teutonic Order]].

==Name==
The origin of the name ''Peipus'' ({{langx|et|Peipsi}}) is uncertain, although it may be paralleled by Lake Peipiä ({{langx|ru|Копанское озеро}}) and the village of Peipiä ({{langx|ru|Пейпия}}) along its shore, and by Peipozero ({{langx|ru|Пейпозеро}}) near [[Onega Bay]]. [[Paul Ariste]] suggested a pre-Finnic origin of the name, [[Julius Mägiste]] suggested a connection with ''peipo'' or ''peippu'' 'chaffinch' (or other songbird) or [[Votic language|Votic]] ''põippõ'' 'chicken', {{ill|Lauri Kettunen|et}} suggested derivation from a personal name, and {{ill|Rufʹ Aleksandrovna Ageeva|ru|Агеева, Руфь Александровна}} suggested a Baltic etymology, comparing it to Latvian ''piepe'' and Lithuanian ''pepis'' 'moisture, mold'.<ref name="DEPN">{{cite web |title=Peipsi järv |url=https://www.eki.ee/dict/knr/index.cgi?Q=Peipsi&F=M&C06=en |website=Dictionary of Estonian Place Names |publisher=Eesti Keele Instituut |access-date=December 15, 2023 |location=Tallinn}}</ref> The Russian name ''Chudskoye ozero'' (Чудское озеро) means 'Chud Lake' (i.e., 'Estonian Lake'); the ethnonym ''[[Chud]]'' ({{lang|ru|чудь}}) referred to various Finnic peoples in what is now Estonia, Karelia, and northwestern Russia.<ref name="DEPN"/>

==Formation==
{{refimprove section|date=August 2010}}
The lake is a remnant of a larger body of water that existed in this area during a former [[ice age]].<ref name="GES">''Encyclopedic Dictionary of Geography'': Geographical names – Moscow: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1983, p. 488.</ref> In the [[Paleozoic]] Era, 300 to 400 million years ago, the entire territory of the modern Gulf of Finland was covered by a sea. Its modern relief was formed as a result of [[glacier]] activities, the last of which, the [[Weichselian glaciation]], ended about 12,000 years ago.

==Topography and hydrography==
The banks of Lake Peipus have smooth contours and form only one large bay: Raskopelsky Bay. On the northern and northwestern shores of the lake there are sand dunes covered with pine forest and  sandy beaches. Along the sandy shores, there is a {{convert|200–300|m}} wide stretch of shallow waters.<ref name="Entsiklopediya turista">[http://www.outdoors.ru/abc/abc2139.php Tourist Encyclopedia. Peipsi-Pskov Lake]. Outdoors.ru. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref> The low shores of the lake mostly consist of peat and are bordered by vast lowland and [[marsh]]es, which are flooded in the spring, with the flooding area reaching up to {{convert|1000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Gidrografiya SSSR">Sokolov AA ''[http://abratsev.narod.ru/biblio/sokolov/p1ch17d.html Hydrography of the USSR]'' L.: Gidrometeoizdat, 1952</ref>  

<div style="float:right;margin-left:0.5em;">
{| Class = "wikitable"
|+ Water balance of Lake Peipus<ref name="Gidrografiya SSSR" />
!
! Water balance
! Volume
|-
| Rowspan = "2"|Inflow|| Precipitation || 560&nbsp;mm (1.9&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>)
|-
| [[Surface water|Surface]] and [[groundwater]]|| 3150&nbsp;mm (11.2&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>)
|-
| Rowspan = "2"|Outflow|| [[Streamflow]]|| 3390&nbsp;mm (12&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>)
|-
| [[Evaporation]] || 320&nbsp;mm (1.1&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>)
|}
</div>
The relief of the bottom is uniform and flat, gradually rising near the shores and covered with [[silt]], and in some places with sand.<ref name="iss"/> The deepest point of {{convert|15.3|m}} is located in the Teploe Lake, {{convert|300|m}} from the coast.<ref name="Ozera and Rivers South Estonii">[http://www.gid.ee/link/o-54.html lakes and rivers south of Estonia, the islands] {{dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref>

The lake is well-flowing, with the annual inflow of water equal to about half of the total water volume.<ref name="Gidrografiya SSSR" />

The lake water is fresh, with a low transparency of about {{convert|2.5|m}} due to [[plankton]] and suspended [[sediment]]s caused by the river flow.<ref name="Gidrografiya SSSR" /> Water currents are weak {{convert|5–9|cm/s|abbr=on}}; generally induced by wind, so stop when it ceases. However, during the spring flood, there is a constant surface current from north to south.<!-- the following archieved URL doesn't confirm the above-mentioned fact. Checked September 2021 --><ref name="iss">[http://arhiv.ivangorod.ru/econ/SuPortNet/str01.htm study the situation of the ports on the Narva River] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221740/http://arhiv.ivangorod.ru/econ/SuPortNet/str01.htm |date=2016-03-03 }}. Arhiv.ivangorod.ru. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref>

Because of the shallow depth, the lake quickly warms and cools. Water temperature reaches {{convert|25–26|C}} in July.<ref name="Ozera and Rivers South Estonii" /> The lakes freeze in late November – early December and thaw in late April – early May, first lakes Teploe and Pihkva and then lake Peipus. However, due to recent climatic changes, Lake Peipus has now commonly started to freeze later into December and thaw much earlier in April.<ref name="Gidrografiya SSSR" />
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Lake Peipus, Estonia.jpg|Shoreline, south of [[Mustvee]] in Estonia
File:Peipus Kallaste 3.JPG|[[Kallaste]]
File:LakePeipus01.JPG|Mustvee harbour
File:Пообережье Чудского озера под Гдовом (8).jpg|Shoreline in Russia, near [[Gdov]] 
File:Lüübnitsa küla.JPG|Lake Pihkva/Pskovskoye, Estonian shoreline 
</gallery>
[[File:Narva basin map.svg|thumb|300px|Map of pools of Narva and Lake Peipus]]

==Basin and islands==
About 30 rivers flow into the lake.<ref name="PO PSKOVSKO-CHUDSKOMU VODOEMU">[http://www.zachetka.ru/referat/preview.aspx?docid=34571&page=3 By Peipus pond] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044049/http://www.zachetka.ru/referat/preview.aspx?docid=34571&page=3 |date=2016-03-04 }}. Zachetka.ru. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref> The largest are [[Velikaya]] and [[Emajõgi]]; smaller rivers include Zadubka, Cherma, [[Gdovka]], Kuna, Torokhovka, Remda, Rovya, [[Zhelcha]], Chernaya, Lipenka, Startseva, Borovka, Abija, Obdeh, [[Piusa (river)|Piusa]], [[Võhandu]], Kodza, Kargaya, Omedu, Tagajõgi and Alajõgi. The lake is drained by only one river, the [[Narva (river)|Narva]], into the [[Baltic Sea]].<ref name=bse/>

The lake contains 29 islands, with a total area of 25.8&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, with 40 more islands located within the delta of the Velikaya River.<ref name="Ozera and Rivers South Estonii" /> The islands are low wetlands, elevated above the lake surface on average by only {{convert|1–2|m}} (maximum {{convert|4.5|m}}) and therefore suffer from floods. The largest islands are [[Kolpina Island|Kolpina]] (area 11&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) in the south, [[Piirissaar]] (area {{convert|7.39|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in the center, and Kamenka (area 6&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>). In the center of Pihkva Lake there is a group of Talabski Islands (Talabsk, Talabenets and Verkhniy).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pkk5.rosreestr.ru/api/s/lu1UOVz|title=Публичная кадастровая карта|website=pkk5.rosreestr.ru|access-date=2018-01-08}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
The lake hosts 54 species of coastal aquatic flora, including [[cane (grass)|cane]], [[Acorus calamus|calamus]] (''Acorus calamus''), [[Scirpus|bulrush]], [[Butomus|grass rush]], [[Typha angustifolia|lesser bulrush]] (''Typha angustifolia'') and [[Sium latifolium|water parsnip]] (''Sium latifolium''). Floating plants are rare and are of only three types: [[Sagittaria|arrowhead]], [[Nuphar lutea|yellow water-lily]] and [[Persicaria amphibia|water knotweed]].<ref name="Ryby Pskov oblasti">[http://pskovfish.ru/ozera.htm Fish and Lake Pskov region. Lakes]. Pskovfish.ru. Retrieved on 19 February 2017.</ref> The lake is home to [[European perch|perch]], [[Sander (genus)|pike-perch]], [[Carp bream|bream]], [[Rutilus|roaches]], [[Coregonus|whitefishes]],  [[European smelt|smelt]] and other species of fish.<ref name = bse /> The wetlands of the coastal strip of the lake are important resting and feeding grounds for swans, geese and ducks migrating between the [[White Sea]] and [[Baltic Sea]] and western Europe.<ref name="iss" /><ref name="svali.ru">[http://www.svali.ru/catalog~0~26258~index.htm Tourist portal]. Svali.ru (2008-01-28). Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref> Lake Peipus is one of the main stopovers for [[Tundra swan|Bewick's swan]] (''Cygnus columbianus''). The swans leave their breeding grounds in the Russian [[Arctic]] {{convert|1,600|km}} away and the lake is the first stop for many. Bewick's rarely fly more than {{convert|1,900|km}} without fueling so they are near to the limits of their endurance when they reach the lake.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Newth|first1=Julia|title=Race against time|magazine=BBC Wildlife|date=November 2016|volume=34|issue=12|pages=40–6}}</ref>

==Ecology==
The ecological condition of the lake basin is, in general, satisfactory – water is mostly of grades I and II (clean), and is of grade III in some rivers due to the high content of [[phosphorus]]. The water condition of the rivers has improved since 2001–2007, but there is an increase in population of [[Cyanobacteria|blue-green algae]]. The main problem of Lake Peipus is its [[eutrophication]].<!-- the following archived URL doesn't confirm the above-mentioned fact. Checked September 2021 --><ref name="Sovmestnoy Rossiysko-Estonskoy commission for the protection and rational use of transboundary vod">[http://www.ravnopravie.com/Site/News/FederalNews.aspx?id=185&type=3 Minutes of the eleventh meeting of the Joint Russian-Estonian commission for the protection and rational use of transboundary waters] {{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
PercaFluviatilisMediumSize.JPG|[[European perch]]
AbramisBramaCarpBream.JPG|[[Carp bream]]
Blausteinsee Tierwelt 03.jpg|[[Rutilus|Roach]]
Walleye painting.jpg|[[Sander (genus)|Pike-perch]]
</gallery>

==Economy==
The towns standing on the banks are relatively small and include [[Mustvee]] (population 1,610),  [[Kallaste]] (population 1,260) and [[Gdov]] (population 4,400). The largest city, [[Pskov]] (population 202,000) stands on the river [[Velikaya]], {{convert|10|km}} from the lake.<ref name="Entsiklopediya turista" /> Ship navigation is well developed and serves fishery, transport of goods and passengers and tourist tours.<ref name="svali.ru" /><ref name="TrevelTurs">[http://www.traveltours.ru/spb/articles/countries/russia/resorts/lenobl/ivangorod/narva/ TrevelTurs. Peipsi-Pskov lake system] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031521/http://www.traveltours.ru/spb/articles/countries/russia/resorts/lenobl/ivangorod/narva/ |date=2016-03-04 }}. Traveltours.ru. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref><ref name="Transport Pskov oblasti">[http://www.all-transport.info/regions/ru60.html#pskov Transport of Pskov Oblast]. All-transport.info. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref> The picturesque shores of the lake are a popular destination for tourism and recreation at several tourist camps and sanatoriums.<ref>[http://www.noveltour.ru/places/pskov/ Pskov region. Peipsi and Lake Pskov] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072210/http://www.noveltour.ru/places/pskov/ |date=2018-02-05 }}. noveltour.ru</ref><ref>[http://www.megatis.ru/news/55/2002/08/08/3_14452.html More and more foreigners resting on Lake Peipus]. Megatis.ru (2002-08-08). Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref><ref>[http://vladsc.narod.ru/library/enc_tur/k.htm Tourist Encyclopedia]. Vladsc.narod.ru. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref>

==History==
In 1242, the southern part of Lake Peipus hosted a major historical battle where [[Teutonic Knights]] were defeated by [[Novgorod]] troops led by [[Alexander Nevsky]]. The battle is remarkable in that it was mostly fought on the frozen surface of the lake and is therefore called the [[Battle on Lake Peipus|Battle on the Ice]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dh6jydKXikoC&pg=PA564|page=564|author=Tony Jaques|title=Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: F-O|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=0-313-33538-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XKWRct15XfkC&pg=PA299|page=299|author=Toivo Miljan|title=Historical dictionary of Estonia|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2004|isbn=0-8108-4904-6}}</ref>

The largest city on the lake, [[Pskov]], is also one of the oldest cities in Russia, known from at least 903 AD from a record in the [[Primary Chronicle]] of the [[Laurentian Codex]].<ref>[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article093990.html Псков], [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEawXSP4AVwC&pg=PA114|page=114|author=Wladyslaw Duczko|title=Viking Rus: studies on the presence of Scandinavians in Eastern Europe|publisher=BRILL|year=2004|isbn=90-04-13874-9}}</ref> The city had a certain measure of [[Pskov Republic|independence]] even though it was dominated by its neighbours - [[Novgorod Republic|Novgorod]], [[Grand Duchy of Lithuania|Lithuania]] and [[Grand Duchy of Muscovy|Muscovy]] - and eventually incorporated in the Russian state. Several historical buildings remain in the city, including [[Mirozhsky Monastery]] (1156, which contains famous [[frescoes]] of 14–17th centuries), [[Pskov Kremlin]] (14–17th centuries) with the five-domed Trinity Cathedral (1682–1699), churches of Ivanovo (until 1243), [[Snetogorsky Monastery]] (13th century), Church of Basil (1413), Church of Cosmas and Damian (1462), Church of St. George (1494)  and others.<ref name="Drevny city Pskov">[http://www.old-pskov.ru/ ancient city of Pskov]. Old-pskov.ru. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref>

[[Gdov]] was founded in 1431 as a fortress and became a city in 1780;<ref>[http://bse.sci-lib.com/article008938.html Гдов], [[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]</ref> the only remains of the historical [[Gdov Kremlin]] are three fortress walls.<ref name="Moy Gdov">[http://mygdov.ru/history My Gdov] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184756/http://mygdov.ru/history |date=2016-03-03 }}. mygdov.ru (in Russian)</ref> Kallaste was founded in the 18th century by the [[Old Believers]] who had fled from the [[Novgorod]] area,<ref name="Kallaste. Few istorii">[http://www.moles.ee/00/Jun/28/4-2.html Kallaste. A bit of history]. Moles.ee (2000-06-28). Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref><ref name="Staroobryadcheskaya community Kallaste">[http://www.starover.ee/ru/kirikud/kallaste.html Old Believer community Kallaste]. Starover.ee. Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref> and there is still a functional [[Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church]] in the town. Near Kallaste, there is one of the largest surfacings of [[Devonian]] [[sandstone]] with a length of {{convert|930|m}} and a maximum height of {{convert|8|m}}, as well as several caves and one of the largest colonies of [[swallow]]s in Estonia.<ref name="Russkoyazychny site about the city Kallaste">[http://kallaste.ucoz.org/index/0-2 Russian site about the city Kallaste]. Kallaste.ucoz.org (2012-01-04). Retrieved on 2012-01-21.</ref>

<!--the following two photos depict buildings in the city of Pskov, have next to nothing to do with Lake Peipus: {| Class = "wikitable" style = "text-align: center"
 |+
| style="width:50px; %;"|[[File:Mirozh02.JPG|center|390px]]
| style="width:50px; %;"|[[File:Pskov asv07-2018 Kremlin Daumantas Town img4.jpg|center|390px]]
|-
|[[Mirozhsky Monastery]]
|[[Pskov Krom]]
|}-->
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lake Peipus}}
*[http://www.estonia360.ee/piirissaare_sadam/ 360° aerial panorama of Peipus and Piirissaar]
*[http://www.peipsi.ee/ Peipsi Infokeskus] Estonian tourist information website
*[http://www.estonica.org/en/Nature/Lake_Peipsi_and_Narva_River/Settlements_in_the_vicinity_of_Lake_Peipsi/ Settlements in the vicinity of Lake Peipsi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228050143/http://www.estonica.org/en/Nature/Lake_Peipsi_and_Narva_River/Settlements_in_the_vicinity_of_Lake_Peipsi/ |date=2020-02-28 }} Estonica

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peipus, Lake}}
[[Category:Estonia–Russia border]]
[[Category:International lakes of Europe]]
[[Category:Lakes of Estonia]]
[[Category:Lakes of Pskov Oblast]]
[[Category:Lakes of Jõgeva County]]
[[Category:Lakes of Tartu County]]
[[Category:Narva River basin|LPeipus]]