Lake Imandra

Frozen in winter

The Imandra (Russian Имандра, Finnish Imantero ) is a lake in the south-western part of the Kola Peninsula in the Murmansk Oblast in Russia, beyond the Arctic Circle. The water level is 126.7 m above sea level; its area is 812 km ², the maximum depth is 67 m. The shape of its shoreline is complicated. There are a number of islands, the largest island is Jerm (26 km ²). The three main parts of the lake are connected by narrow waterways:

  • Chibinskaja Imandra ( Большая Имандра, "Greater Imandra " ) in the north (328 km ², about 55 km long, 3-5 km wide)
  • Jekostrowskaja Imandra in a central location (351 km ²)
  • Babinskaja Imandra in the west (133 km ²).

The lake is drained by the river Niwa for Kandalakscha Bay ( White Sea ) back.

Energy

Since 1952, the water level of the lake is regulated and the water being used for energy production. There are three hydropower plants along the Niwa which exploit the hydraulic potential. The westernmost Pirengskoje Reservoir, which flows through the Pirenga in the Imandra, is used to regulate the water level.

Leisure

The Imandra is known for its clear water and its abundance of fish. The town of Monchegorsk, located on the Bay Montscheguba in the northwest of the lake, is a winter sports center. Apatity is situated near the eastern shore of the lake. Polyarnye Zori is located a few kilometers from its outflow from the Imandra the river Niwa.

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