Lake Võrtsjärv

Estonia

Lake Peipsi and Lake Võrtsjärv are large shallow lakes which are situated in Northern Europe and are part of the Baltic Sea basin. The two lakes are connected by the Emajögi river which drains from Lake Võrtsjärv to Lake Peipsi.

Lake Võrtsjärv

Võrtsjarv is the largest lake within the boundaries of Estonia (270 sq. km [km²]). Despite its large surface area, the lake is shallow. 35 fish species occur in Lake Võrtsjärv. Pike-perch, eel, bream, and pike are the most important commercial fish while perch and roach are also abundant. The lake is an important habitat for nesting birds like the Black Tern and migratory bird species like the Whooper Swan, Crane, Wigeon, Scaup and the Wood Sandpiper.

Lake Võrtsjärv is mainly used for industrial fishery, recreation, and tourism.

The fast expansion of reed thickets and the deterioration of biological diversity are a clear evidence of the eutrophication of the lake during the last decades. Low water level reinforces the rise in trophic level. In future even higher phosphorus and nitrate loads from the agriculture are expected. Non-purified or only unsatisfactory treated wastewater runs into the lake.