Lake Manych-Gudilo, located simultaneously onthe territory of Kalmykia, Stavropol and the Rostov region, is among the largest European reservoirs; Its approximate area is 350 square meters. km with a length of about 180 km. Being a kind of relic - a remnant of the ancient ocean of Tethys, linking the Caspian, Black and Azov seas, over time it has experienced significant fluctuations in size. In some years, it dried out almost completely; in 1926 cars drove along its smooth, dry bottom. In wet years, its depth increased to 2.2 meters.
By the way, strong winds are frequent guests of thesevast expanses - capable of raising huge waves up to 15 meters high on such a reservoir. The climate in this area is unpredictably harsh; in winter, temperatures can drop to -30 aboutC, rising in the summer to +40 aboutFROM.
A characteristic feature of the Manych-Gudilo Lake isfrightening hum, causing panic fear and faith in the stories of local residents about the spirits walking in this area. And the roar is distributed from everywhere; ravines, beams and shores are buzzing. Actually the reason is banal: it is wind and hilly terrain. Lake Manych-Gudilo in the Rostov region is therefore called that; the first part of the phrase "manich" means "salty", and "mudilo" means "hums."
It is a wild place, not adapted for rest andfishing nevertheless fascinates with its harsh beauty. Lake Gudila-Manych is replete with various birds; curly pelicans, mute swans, black-headed gulls, gray cranes, little white heron, coastal swallows live here. All this many thousands of winged brethren gather on Bird Island, some temporarily, taking a halt during the migration, and some permanent residents.
Sedge, reed, reed and tumbleweed of unusual shape are found among vegetation due to increased mineralization.
Lake Manych in the Rostov region is famous for what many lovers of beauty go to admire. These are tulips! They are here a whole island!
Having been on the lake Manych-Gudilo, definitely worth itlook at mustang horses, recalcitrant and free. To see how they, who have just quietly grazed in the meadows, gallop along the endlessly covered with high grass field, is just an unforgettable sight, as if plunging into the primitive world. According to rumors, these artiodactyls were brought here during the shooting of the Soviet film “The Seventh Bullet”. Some mustangs fled and began to multiply in their favorite environment, namely, on the island of Vodny. Of course, people help them to survive - employees of the sanctuary, supplying artiodactyls with fresh water, which is not on the island.
According to the second version, on the island in the firsta cattle-breeding farm operated later in the last century, later recognized as unprofitable. Cattle kept on it were sent to the mainland, but some horses managed to escape on free bread.
Время с его природными факторами, конечно же не without human intervention, takes power from the lake: the water gradually goes away, and the overgrown swan islands are gradually connected to the coastal strip, which is reduced by 5 meters annually. In order to save the lake in this area was created a nature reserve "Manych-Gudilo".
