Lake Suurjärv in Rõuge

Lake Suurjärv - Big Lake, or as the locals call it 'Witch's Lake' - forms part of the chain of lakes in Rõuge valley. Suurjärv formed at the end of the last ice age from the action of melting ice. It is 13.5 hectares in area with an average depth of 11.9 metres. It is not a closed system, with creeks flowing into it from Lakes Liinjärv, Valgjärv and Kaussjärv. It is the deepest lake in Estonia (38 metres) and has many natural springs along its shores and in its depths. The colour of its water varies from orange to light green. 22 species of plants are found in the lake, to a depth of up to 8 metres. The fish most commonly found in the lake are the perch and roach. The lake is open to swimmers.