Our lakes are the most picturesque sites of the reserve, unique natural complexes that develop independently, without human intervention.
Photo by Denis Ivkovich
Lake Domzheritskoye with an area of 191 hectares is located on the northwestern outskirts of the largest bog massif on the territory of the reserve – Domzheritskoye swamp. The lake belongs to the basin of the Serguch River (the left tributary of the Berezina River) and in the western part is connected to the river by a narrow and short channel.
Domzheritskoye is a relict lake of the residual type, i.e. it was formed on the site of an ancient huge periglacial lake, stretching for tens of kilometers and arising in the melting zone of the last Valdai glacier.
The bottom is flat, shallow water is extensive, peaty along the coast, in some places lined with sand, there’s sapropel in the central part (layer thickness 3-4 m). The water color is of strongly brewed tea, it has a low degree of transparency (up to 60 cm) and is saturated with a large amount of organic substances. The greatest depth was recorded at the entrance to the eastern bay.
The area around the reservoir is predominantly flat, lowland, overgrown with dense forest and shrubs, heavily swampy.
Photo by Denis Ivkovich
The lake is shallow, intensively overgrown along the periphery. In water vegetation pondweeds, water lilies, reeds dominate.
Photo by Denis Ivkovich
On the raised bog and mineral islands next to the lake there is a scientific station, where forest and marsh vegetation is studied and observed on permanent trial plots.
The area near the lake is replete with various herbaceous and woody-shrub plants. Here, in impassable places, along with very common species, there are species included in the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus, such as lady's-slipper orchid.
Photo by Denis Ivkovich
In the waters of Lake Domzheritskoye, a protected relative of the sundew grows – Aldrovanda vesiculosa, and a very rare diatom – Pinnularia polyonca.
