Lake Peipus (Estonian Peipsi). Lake Peipsi: attractions, photos, videos, reviews

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The center of the microregion is the Chudsko-Pskov lake system, consisting of three parts: Lake Peipus, Pskov Lake and Warm Lake. Two large rivers flow into the system: Velikaya (Russia) and Emajõgi (Estonia). One flows out - Narova, on which the Narva Reservoir is located. These are the main components of the physical geography of the Chud region.

general information

Lake Peipsi

The fifty-third largest lake system in the world and the fifth largest in Europe in terms of area, the Chudsko-Pskov lake system is located on the Prichudskaya Lowland on the border between Estonia and Russia. The area of the lakes is 3555 km², the catchment area is 44303 km², the volume of water is 24.8 km³, average depth– 6.8 m, maximum depth– 15.3 meters. The area of Estonian waters is 45.5% (1616 km²), Russian - 54.5% (1939 km²). The greatest length of the system from north to south is 150 km, and from west to east 48 km. These lakes are a relic of a larger glacial reservoir. The shores are predominantly low-lying, sandy and dune. There are 35 islands in the lakes (not counting the islands in the deltas of the flowing rivers), the largest of which are Piirissaar Island (Lake Peipus) and Kolpina Island (Pskov Lake). The total area of the islands is 27.2 km², which is 0.8% of the area of the lakes. 30 rivers and about 210 streams and artificial watercourses flow into the system, of which the Velikaya River is 430 km long; three more rivers have a length of more than 100 km and 25 rivers have a length of over 10 km. The drainage areas of the Velikaya, Emajõgi, Võhandu and Zhelchi rivers account for 80% of the basin area of the lake system. IN southern part The Velikaya River flows into the system, and the Narova River flows out of the northern system. The mouth of the first of them and the source of the second are located almost at the same longitude, so the entire lake basin is like a huge expansion of the valley of these rivers, which have different names, but in fact are the main links of a large and single lake-river system. Ice phenomena on the lakes last 6.5-7 months, and the ice thickness reaches 50-80 cm. Shallow coastal waters stretch 200-300 meters from the shore, and as the depth increases, the bottom becomes muddy. In the reservoir there are surge phenomena (similar to tides).

Lake system

Lake Peipsi (Peipsi, Peipus, Bolshoye)– main, Northern part systems. The mirror area of Lake Peipsi is 2611 km², maximum depth is 12.9 m, average depth is 7.6 m, the volume of water in the lake is 27 km³. The greatest length of the lake from north to south is 72 km, and from west to east 48 km. Largest rivers, flowing into Lake Peipus - Emajõgi (Estonia), Gdova (Russia), Rannapungerja (Estonia); Only Narova flows out. The most significant islands: Piirissaar (Estonia), Gorodets (Russia).

Pskov Lake (Pikhkva, Talabskoye)– the second largest, southern part of the system. The surface area of Lake Pskov is 708 km, the maximum depth is 5.3 m, the average is 2.7 m. The greatest length of the lake from north to south is 36 km, and from west to east 28 km. The largest rivers flowing into Lake Pskov are Velikaya (Russia), Chernaya (Russia), Piusa (Russia, Estonia). The most significant islands: Kolpino (Russia), Talabskie (Russia), Kamenka (Russia).

Warm lake (Lämmiyaarv, Uzmen)- the smaller, central part of the system, performing a connecting function between the Pskov and Peipsi lakes. This part of the Chudsko-Pskov lake system is a channel in which the movement of water from Lake Pskov to Chudskoye is observed, so it freezes a little later than the neighboring reservoirs, which is why it got its name. The surface area of the Warm Lake is 236 km², the average depth is 3 m, the maximum depth is 15.3 m. The greatest length of the lake from north to south is 15 km, and from west to east 8 km. The largest rivers flowing into Warm Lake are Võhandu (Estonia).

Chudsko-Pskov lake system has a drainage into the Narva Bay of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea. It is carried out through the Narova River (the border of Russia and Estonia). Narova (Narva, Nerev, Alukse) is the largest river in Estonia, the second largest river flowing into the Gulf of Finland (accounts for 11% of the total annual inflow of rivers in the Gulf of Finland). The length of the river is 77 km, of which 40 km is the upper course, 20 km is the middle course, 17 km is the lower course. Water flow at the mouth of the Narova is 399 m³/s (12.58 km³/year), and at the source – 321 m³/s (10.12 km³/year). The river is navigable along 58% of its length: in the lower and middle reaches. The catchment area of the Narova is 56,200 km², of which 39,000 km² is the territory of Russia, and 17,200 km² is Estonia (38% of the area of Estonia). Ice phenomena on the river last up to 5.5 months; in summer there is low water. The drop of the Narova is 30 m, of which 19% (4 m-7.5 m) falls on the Narva waterfalls and rapids (in the lower reaches), and 16% (5 m) on the Omut rapids (in the upper reaches). The average width is 200-300 m, in the lower reaches - 300-400 m, and the greatest width is observed in the upper reaches near Verkhovsky Island - about 900 m. The prevailing depth is 3-4 m, in places up to 6 m, in the lower reaches - up to 11 m , near the mouth - up to 15 m. The average speed of the Narova current is 1 m/s, at the rapids up to 3 m/s, in the lower reaches only up to 0.5 m/s. Main tributaries: Plyussa (Russia), Rosson (Russia), Chernaya (Estonia), Borovnya (Estonia).

Pskovsko-Chudskoye Lake is one of the largest lakes in Europe and ranks third in terms of surface area (about 3,600 km2) in the European part of Russia (after Ladoga and Onega) and fourth in Europe. The lake is elongated in the meridional direction and consists of three parts that are clearly distinguishable from each other: the large Chudskoye (Peipsi), the smaller Pskov lakes and the strait connecting them, called Teploe Lake. Currently, the central part of the lake runs state border between Russia and Estonia, about 148 km long. In the north, the border river flows out of the lake. Narva, flowing into the Gulf of Finland. In the south the river flows into the lake. Great. The lake is shallow, the average depth of Lake Peipsi is about 8 m, and Lake Pskov is 2.5-3 m. The waves on the lake with strong winds are unsteady and dangerous for small watercraft due to its steepness and short period.

Seasons

The longest season is the winter season from the second half of November to the beginning of April. The ice thickness in all parts of the lake is almost the same - on average 50-80 cm. The water temperature in the reservoir in winter has an inverse distribution: at the surface about 0 ° C, at the bottom up to +2 ° C. In the second half of April, the lake is completely cleared of ice.

Summer lasts an average of 130 days, is moderately warm, with short and intense rains. The hottest month is July. The water temperature can reach 20-25 °C. Thanks to its shallow depths and flat bottom, the lake mixes well and warms up, which favors the active development of the fish stock's food supply - plankton and benthos.

Features of the lake

A characteristic feature of the lake is significant seasonal fluctuations in water level. When the water level exceeds the long-term average (30 m above sea level), the lake overflows its banks and floods the adjacent low-lying areas. When the level rises by 0.5 m, about 180 km2 is usually flooded. Old-timers remember the rise in level in 1956-1957, when more than 600 km2 of the areas adjacent to the lake were flooded.

The lake has the largest among large lakes Northern Europe productivity of industrial fishing (about 30 kg/ha; on Lake Ladoga this figure ranges from 10 to 17 kg/ha).

Pskov-Chudskoye Lake is the most fishy reservoir in the North-West of Russia. It is home to 42 species of fish, including such commercial ones as smelt, vendace, bream, pike perch, Chud whitefish, pike, roach, and perch. Pskov smelt was a delicacy on the royal table. Peter I had a passion for them. Fluctuations in the number of smelt in the Pskov-Peipus reservoir depend on the number of competitors: in years of low numbers of smelt competitors, catches increase, and, conversely, when the number of competitors (juvenile perch and roach, vendace) increases sharply, smelt catches decrease 12-15 times.

The construction of the Narva hydroelectric power station practically blocked the entry into the lake of the eternal wanderer - the eel, which has no equal in its properties. taste qualities among our fish.

Lake Peipus is a large freshwater lake located in the northern part of the Peipus-Pskov lake group.

The northern and western shores of Lake Peipsi belong to the territory of the Republic of Estonia, and the eastern shore belongs to Russia (Pskov region). There is a border running through the center of Lake Peipsi Russian Federation and Estonia. The area near the shores of the lake is called Prichudye.

Lake Peipus is the fifth largest in Europe and the third in the European part of Russia. Lake Peipsi has total area about 2.67 thousand square kilometers. The area of the mirror changes depending on fluctuations in water level.

Lake Peipus is approximately 96 kilometers long and about 50 kilometers wide. The average depth is 7.5 meters, at the maximum point it reaches 16.6 meters. More than 30 rivers flow into Lake Peipus, which are fed by snow, rain and spring water.

In the Pskov and Leningrad regions there is a picturesque place on the shore Lake Peipsi. This the best place for a relaxing holiday away from civilization. The transparent, quiet harbor looks stunning against the backdrop of sandy shores. Having met the dawn on the shores of Lake Peipus, you will be left with spiritual pleasure and a surge of strength.

Lake Peipus: description, photo, video

One of the largest lakes is Lake Peipsi. It is located on the one hand in Russia, and on the other in Estonia. The depth reaches 16 meters, and the area is almost 3000 km2. In count fresh water, it is inferior. There are many islands in the lake’s waters, from which it is convenient to fish at any time of the year. The magnificent nature and excellent fishing in the surrounding area attracts tourists.

Local residents call the lake Pskovsko-Chudsky. Many nearby rivers flow into it, making it flowing. Beautiful nature, nature reserve, picturesque places conducive to relaxation. There are recreation centers in the coastal zone. In good weather, long excursions around the lake by boat are organized.

On the Estonian side the lake is deepest. There are many people who want to admire the beauty of one of the largest lakes in Europe. There is a lot of entertainment for relaxation - swimming, boating, beach sports, fishing. Tourists are offered various conditions from luxurious villas to romantic campsites, there is something for every taste.

Panorama of Lake Peipsi

Lake Peipsi is known for its legendary status. In 1242, the “Battle of the Ice” took place there. Prince Nevsky, having gathered troops from Novgorod and Vladimir, defeated the German knights Teutonic Order. Before this, the Prince’s troops defeated the Teutonic base in the adjacent territory of the lake. Thus, Pskov was liberated and the Germans prevented the capture of Veliky Novgorod and Vladimir.

Where is Lake Peipsi located?

Orientation to the Baltic Sea basin Atlantic Ocean. Nearby are three lakes Chudskoye, Pskovskoye and Teploe. Chudskoye is the biggest. In the north-west of Russia, the lake is located in the Pskov and Leningrad regions.

Settlements on the lake shore:

Leningrad region

Shales.

Pskov region:

Lyadiny;
Kanunovschina;
Gdov;
Stone end;
Spitsyno;
Remda.

Coordinates of Lake Peipsi on the map:

Latitude — 58°38′16″
Longitude — 27°30′12″

The Remdsky Nature Reserve is located between Teply and Lake Peipus - a most picturesque place. In Estonia, Lake Peipsi is called Peipsi and is located in the northern part.

The resort area of Prichudye with the coastal part - counties:

Jõgeva;
Ida-Viru County;
Tartu County;
Põlvamaa.

How to get to Lake Peipus

You can get to the lake from Russia or from Estonia.

1. If you are from Russia.
By car, you need to cover a distance of 250 km to Lake Chudovskoe. from St. Petersburg to Pskov along the Tallinn Highway in 4 hours. It is also possible to get there by bus from the Obvodny Canal bus station, in five hours. The bus passes through the following cities:

Kingisepp;
Shales;
Gdov.

There is a bus from Gdov to Spitsino, the distance is 25 km. From the village of Spitsyno to the lake 5 minutes.

2. If you are from Estonia.
It's better to get there from Tallinn. The city of Tartu is approximately 200 km away. Then take a local rural bus to Laiksaare port for another 150 km. It is possible to get to the port by car and there is even a ferry to the famous Estonian island of Piirissaara. On average, it takes 5 hours from Tallinn to reach Lake Peipsi.

When is the best time to visit the lake?

Holidays on the lake are wonderful at any time of the year. But in the summer and winter time its own characteristics for those who like to sunbathe or go fishing. IN summer time have a great time relaxing on the beach. The sensations are about the same as from relaxing on, or. The water heats up quickly in the sun. Excellent tan, pleasant time. Choosing a cozy nest is a great place to relax with your family or friends from the everyday hustle and bustle.

The winter period is suitable for fishing lovers. The lake is distinguished by plankton, which means there are many different fish:

mirror carp;
Amur;
hybrid;
carp;
crucian carp;
silver carp;
pike;
sula.

Peculiarities

The most interesting excursions to the islands and protected areas of Lake Peipsi will leave many impressions in your memory. In winter, the lake is covered with ice, you can move around it, looking at all the beauties of nature and attractions. You can visit museums, churches, parks or stop for a rest.

Tourists are provided with:

houses;
villas;
cottage;
campsites;
recreation center;
vans;
tents.

In Estonia, elderly people live on the islands, most of them are Old Believers with their own beliefs. That's why there are many churches and prayer services there. Small, neat houses without fences are especially striking. There are many icons in every house. Purity and harmony in the picturesque place of Lake Peipus will entice you on an unforgettable journey.

Lake Peipsi

In Russia, a special feature of recreation in the Pskov region on Lake Peipus is, of course, fishing. The lake has everything for a great holiday. If you want to leave the metropolis for a paradise and forget about the everyday hustle and bustle, then this is definitely the place for you.

What to see in the area

In the Pskov region, on the lake, the city of Gdov is the largest, with the most interesting historical architectural monuments:

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sovereign;
Gdov Kremlin.

Not far from the lake there is the Kobylye settlement - beautiful ancient churches, a monument to Alexander Nevsky, historical monuments. See the crow stone, where the prince built a army of soldiers to protect Russian cities.

Small villages also have a lot of interesting things to do:

The museum in the village of Samolva is about the expedition to study the Battle of the Ice.
In the village of Domozhirka there is the Church of St. Trinity.
Church of Peter and Paul, Pokrovskaya, St. Nicholas.

In Estonia there is a residential island, Zhelachek, which can be reached by ferry. It is interesting to explore exhibitions, churches, temples, monasteries. There is a village called Kazela, where wealthy Old Believers live.

Lake Peipsi Pskov

Take original memorable photographs after visiting:

Woodila Adventure Park;
Elistvere Forest Zoo;
Ice Age Museum;
fishing village of Kallaste.

Having studied Lake Peipsi, comes an understanding of everything unknown. So there is a desire to collect a bundle of things and go on an unforgettable journey and be sure to take a camera. Combining relaxation with educational excursions will bring great benefit for self-education. And where to go in Pskov or Tallinn is up to you.

Last minute tours Worldwide

Entertainment and attractions of Lake Peipsi

Most Big City on the Russian shore of the lake - Gdov. Its main attractions are the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sovereign and the Gdov Kremlin, which was first mentioned in the chronicle in 1323 and once had important defensive significance. 71 km from Gdov is the Kobylye settlement, and in it you can see the famous Raven Stone, from which Alexander Nevsky, according to legend, led the Russian troops during the Battle of the Ice. However, this is not the only stone that claims to be historical meaning: in the vicinity of the lake there are nine such places!

In the village of Samolva there is a museum where you can learn how an expedition of the USSR Academy of Sciences searched for the site of the Battle of the Ice in the 1970s. Here are diagrams, maps, scientific reports, arguments for search directions, and unique photographs.

In the village of Domozhirka, near the lake, you can see the Church of the Holy Trinity (15th century). In the village of Vetvenik, the Church of Peter and Paul is interesting, in the village of Ozera - the Church of the Intercession, in Remda - the Church of St. Nicholas.

Historical reconstructions

Every year, on the first or second Sunday of April, the anniversary of the Battle of the Ice (April 5, 1242) is celebrated here. Reenactors from Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic republics come to the shores of Lake Peipsi. Exhibition tournaments are held with the most accurate depiction of historical details and leave a strong impression on spectators. Another highlight of the program are non-staged battles, when reenactors zealously defend the honor of their clubs.

Fishing on Lake Peipsi

There is a lot of fish in the lake; people come here for bream, pike, pike perch, burbot, ruffe and roach; you can also catch silver bream, whitefish, vendace or rudd. In total, the lake is home to more than 40 species of fish; it is considered the most fishy reservoir in the north-west of Russia. This factor, as well as the lake’s proximity to cities and the picturesque shores, make it popular among fishing enthusiasts, including ice fishing. In general, the fisherman’s pride will not suffer!

A large freshwater lake, it is the northern component of the so-called Chudsko-Pskov lake complex.
The area of the lake is 2613 km² (73% of the lake complex).
The northern and western banks belong to the Republic of Estonia, the eastern - to the Russian Federation (Pskov region and a small section at the source of the Narva River belongs to the Slantsevsky district of the Leningrad region). On the side of the Republic of Estonia, the lake is bordered from north to south by the maakondas (counties) of Ida Virumaa, Jõgeva County and Tartu County.
The border between Russia and Estonia runs through the middle of the lake. Previously it was an inland reservoir of the USSR, and before that Russian Empire, when the borders of the Pskov, St. Petersburg, Livonia and Estland provinces reached its shores. The territories adjacent to the lake are called Prichudye.
The length of the lake is about 96 km, width up to 50 km, average depth 7.5 meters, (photo depth) maximum 16.6 meters. Over 30 rivers and streams flow into the lake, fed by snow, rain and spring water. Only one border river, Narva, flows out and flows into the Narva Bay of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea. Water salinity is 0 ppm. The lake is rich in plankton, and therefore fish. It contains the following types commercial fish: bream, vendace, perch, whitefish, pike perch, pike, burbot, roach, smelt. In total there are 37 species of fish and 9 species of amphibians. The smelt was completely caught. The coastal zone is home to more than 50 species of birds and animals. The water in the lake is very clean, the bottom is sandy, and the shores are overgrown with reeds in places. There are 29 islands on the lake, the largest and only inhabited one belongs to Estonia. The lake attracts lovers of untouched nature as a holiday destination. In addition, it is possible to rent the necessary fishing equipment, as well as bicycles and boats. Hotels and modern boarding houses will provide high level service. The lake is a great place to relax with your family and children, while children will be able to play on the playgrounds and have fun by taking part in competitions - all this makes for a great time.

Average monthly temperature

Jan

Feb

March

Apr

May

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

But I

Dec

during the day

-4

+10

+17

+21

+23

+21

+16

-2

at night

-10

-11

-7

+10

+12

+11

-2

-7

Beaches on Lake Peipsi sandy, very comfortable. But it should be noted that the most beautiful one is located on the Estonian coast, this is Kauksi beach, known not only for its picturesqueness, but also for its “singing” sands. The coastline is generally flat, but in the southwest, south, and southeast (in the Russian sector) it is winding, with bays, spits and islands. The western (Estonian) coast is low-lying, very swampy in places, and prone to spring flooding; the eastern (Russian) coast is more elevated, although marshy areas are interspersed with sand dunes and hills. On South Lake Peipsi connects with Pskov through the intermediate Tyoploye Lake. From the bays Lake Peipsi the Lakhtinsky Bay, Raskopelsky Bay and Zhelchensky Bay at the mouth of the Zhelcha River are significant (all on Russian territory); from the islands - Piirisar (Zhelachek). The largest tributary, the Emajõgi River, flows into the southern part of the lake from the west. The coastal hills are covered with pine forest. In some places there are accumulations of boulders. Shallow water stretches along the coast for 200-300 meters. The shores are mostly sandy, but as you go down the bottom becomes more silty. The main problem of the lake is the constant silting of the shipping channels of the fairway, especially the piers where ships, both passenger and cargo, arrive.

Fishing on Lake Peipsi:

The fish stocks in the lake are quite large; people come here for bream, pike, pike perch, burbot, ruff and roach. The selection is quite varied; you can also catch silver bream, whitefish, vendace or rudd. In general, the fisherman’s pride will not suffer.

In total, the lake is home to more than 40 species of fish. This factor, as well as the lake’s proximity to cities and the picturesque shores, make it popular among fishing enthusiasts, including ice fishing.

Jan.

Feb.

March

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

But I.

Dec.

Chub

Gustera

Dace

Ruff

Asp

crucian carp

Carp

Rudd

Bream

Tench

Burbot

Perch

Gudgeon

Roach

Carp

Som

Zander

Bleak

Pike

Ide

A fishing license “permit” can be purchased on the website https://www.pilet.ee

For lovers of historical reconstructions, it will be interesting that every year, on the first or second Sunday of April, the anniversary of the Battle of the Ice, which took place on April 5, 1242, is celebrated here and became one of the glorious milestones Russian history. For this holiday to the shore Lake Peipsi Reenactors from Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic republics come together. Exhibition tournaments are held with the most accurate depiction of historical details and leave a strong impression on spectators. But even more impressive are the unstaged battles of the reenactors, in which they zealously defend the honor of their clubs.

Historical reference:

In 1242, a battle took place that became famous in the world. military history entitled Battle on the Ice. According to legend, it took place on the ice-covered shore of Lake Peipus. Not much evidence about it, chronicles and hagiographies, has been preserved; there is no data on the exploits of individual warriors, such as in the Battle of the Neva. Contemporary chronicles of the battle have been lost, but details of the Battle of the Ice can be found in the German “Elder Livonian Rhymed Chronicle,” which dates back to the last decade of the 13th century.
It is customary to classify the Battle of Peipus as extremely crowded - each side numbered from 9 to 18 thousand warriors.

ARMY
Russians: Novgorod militia, princely squad of Alexander Nevsky, squad of Yaroslav Vsevolodovich, Grand Duke (Vladimir-Suzdal reign) under the command of Prince Andrei (“Nizovtsy”), Tatar-Mongol archers. ~6000 people. Prince Alexander Nevsky, his brother Prince Andrei Yaroslavich.

Germans: Cavalry: Teutonic, Danish, Livonian knights. Infantry: Estonian militias, Swedish mercenaries ~2600 people. Bishop Herman of Dorpat.

According to other sources, during the battle the Livonian Order took part in the battles in Courland and therefore could not field a large army. The First Chronicle of Novgorod reports that 400 Livnots died in the battle, 50 knights were captured in Russian captivity, and as for Rus', “they fell without number.” Ordinary fallen soldiers were not taken into account in the calculation of losses. Their number can amount to more than one hundred, because each German knight stood at the head of a separate tactical unit of the “spear”. The number of "spears" depended on the title and wealth of its owner. Alexander ordered all captured Germans to be executed and they were hanged.
The “Rhymed Chronicle” reports the figure of 20 knights killed and 6 captured. Considering the composition of an ordinary spear of knights of the 12th-13th centuries (three warriors), the number of killed and captured was 78 people. The figures in the Rhymed Chronicle may be close to the truth. Probably, almost all the killed and captured knights entered the wedge; they were the first to attack and the first to risk the most. It can be assumed that the wedge consisted of 30-35 knights, given the five-rank formation. The width of the wedge could be as large as 11 fighters in a line. The fact that most of them fell on the battlefield is not surprising. Total number The bollards in such columns numbered a little more than 300 people. Thus, with all the calculations and assumptions, the total German-Chud army in the Battle of the Ice in 1242 numbered more than three to four hundred people, or even less.
Perhaps the crusaders were opposed by slightly more numerous forces of Rus'. In general, there is no reason to consider the Battle of the Ice to be crowded, which, however, does not detract from its historical significance.

In the European part of Russia, on the border of the Pskov region and Estonia.

In Estonian, Lake Peipus is Peipsi järv (Peipsi or Peipus).

Lake Peipus is the northern part of the Chudsko-Pskov lake system. The Russian border runs along the longitudinal axis of the water area and divides its area, equal to 2613 km 2, into two approximately equal parts. Lake Peipus in the south is connected by a strait with Tyoplye Lake (236 km 2), located between the islands of Piirissaar and Sallo and connected by another strait with Lake Pskov. Lake Peipsi has a trapezoidal shape, elongated and expanding north from the strait to the northeastern bay - the source of the river. Narva. The length of Lake Peipsi is 90 km, the greatest width is 47 km, the volume is 21.8 km 3, the maximum depth is 12.9 m with an average water level of 30 m abs. over a long period of time. Chudskoye is the largest lake in the Pskov region and the 8th lake in Russia in terms of water surface area. There are eight islands in the lake, the largest of which is Piirissaar (also called “Zhelachek” or “Mezha”) with an area of 7.4 km 2, the rest are at the mouths of tributaries with west bank– rivers Suur-Emajõgi (or Emajõgi), etc.

The modern relief of the lake basin was formed in the last Valdai glaciation about 12 thousand years ago. After the glacier retreated, the subglacial Littorina Sea was formed, the level of which was 7–9 m higher than the modern water level in the lake. It decreased after the emergence of the river's source. Narva, through which most of the melt water was drained into the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea.

Length coastline Lake Peipus is 260 km long, it is smooth, with only one Raskopel Bay, 20 km long, at the south-eastern end of the water area. The northern shore of the lake consists of an almost continuous series of dunes up to 8.5 m high along a wide coastline. Its ledge in ancient dunes and coastal sediments can be traced for 30 km. On the left bank of the river. Narva, a kilometer from the lake shore, they reach a height of 10.5 m. Along the western shore to the south, the dunes gradually decrease, the low-lying flat shore is covered in places with boulders, some of which reach 2.4 m in length. To the south, the coast consists almost entirely of Finnish granite boulders. Eastern bank from the river Narva to the town of Gdova is a low dune (2 m) up to 50 m wide, beyond which the area gradually rises. To the south, the coast, composed of clay with boulders, rises in places to 9–12 m and is dissected by ravines with dune sands, through which rivers and streams flow. The shores of Raskopel Bay in some places represent sheer walls of clay up to 5.4 m high and alternate with sections of low shore with hills of wind-blown sand. The south-eastern coast ends in a steep cape 9 meters high. Around the island of Piirissaar there is a wide strip of sandbanks, the depth above which is from 0.3 to 2 m. This underwater threshold serves as a natural boundary between lakes Peipus and Teploe and complicates not only water exchange, but also navigation. In Lake Peipsi, the layer of modern lake sediments is very small; significant areas of the bottom are completely devoid of them. Such areas of the bottom are common in the northwestern part of the basin at a distance of up to 10 km from the coast. Here the bottom is moraine and clay, and to the south there are peat bogs up to 4 m thick, in places covered with a thin layer of sand or silt. In the central deep-sea (deeper than 5–8 m) part of the bottom there are clayey silts 2–4 m thick, poor in phosphorus, but with increased content organic matter(10–30%), mainly crushed peat particles. There are large and untapped reserves in the lake basin therapeutic mud And mineral waters. According to the recreational value, the shores are divided into very suitable (sandy), suitable (turfed sandy, ledges), unsuitable (moraine, silty) and unsuitable (peaty, very silty).

The catchment area of the Pskov-Peipus lake system is 47.8 thousand km 2, of which 26.2 thousand km 2 (55%) is the catchment area of the river. Velikaya and 9.96 thousand km 2 (21%) - the river catchment area. Emajõgi, which carries water from Võrtsjärvi, the largest Estonian lake, into Lake Peipsi. The remaining tributaries of Lake Peipsi are smaller. The annual influx of surface water into the Peipus-Pskov lake system is about 11 km 3, atmospheric precipitation is about 2 km 3, and water evaporation is about 1 km 3, runoff into the river. Narva – 12 km 3 /year. Therefore, at least 80–85% of the river inflow into Lake Peipus comes in the form of transformed lakes Pskovskoe and Tyoploye (runoff of the Vykhondu river) and lake. Vyrtsjärvi lake water masses. Atmospheric precipitation falling on the water area is 1.7 times higher than the loss of water from it during the process of evaporation. The average long-term flow of Emajõgi is 2.2 km 3 /year. The flow of Lake Peipsi is significantly less than that of Lake Pskov, since the average time of change of its waters is about two years. During particularly high floods, the water level in Lake Peipus rises by 1.7 m and by the end of winter drops 1.3 m below the average level. In contrast to Lake Pskov, in summer it exhibits temperature stratification (layering), in which the warmer upper layer water up to 19–20°C is separated by a layer of temperature jump from less heated deep waters. With intensive mixing of water in cold and windy weather, the temperature jump layer deepens. Due to the greater depth and volume of water in Lake Peipus, the duration of its autumn cooling is the longest in the lake system. Therefore, complete freeze-up usually occurs later in it than in the Pskov and Teploe lakes.

The mineralization of water in Lake Peipsi is about 163 mg/l, its chemical composition is hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium. According to joint Russian-Estonian studies, the average concentrations of biogenic elements in it are 30–40 mg Ptot/m3 and 630–680 mg Ntot/m3. In the water of Lake Warm they are 1.5 times larger. The trophic state of Lake Peipsi is assessed as eutrophic (the most biologically productive), Lake Teploe is assessed as transitional to hypertrophic, and Lake Pskov is assessed as hypertrophic, requiring the implementation of measures to reduce the influx of nutrients into it. Despite favorable feeding conditions, commercial fish catches in Lake Peipsi since 1930 for 70 years, varying greatly, tended to decrease twofold. They consisted of vendace, whitefish, smelt, pike, roach, rudd, ide, tench, bream, silver bream, burbot, perch, dace, and pike perch. The average fish productivity during this period is 25–34 kg/ha – higher than in other large lakes of Northern Europe. At the end of the 1950s. trawling was prohibited, which increased the number of juvenile fish, and after 30 years the stocks of bream, pike and pike perch, the main regulator of the number of low-value fish, were restored. Flashes of blue-green development in last years, contributing to the siltation of vendace spawning grounds, its consumption by the multiplying pike perch caused a sharp decline its reserves.

The south-eastern part of the lake is part of the wetland (wetland) of international importance “Pskov-Chudskaya lake lowland”. The specified wetland meets the following criteria of the Ramsar Convention (for a description of the criteria, see the article Convention on Wetlands): 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b.

On the Russian shore of the lake there are the city of Gdov, the villages of Spitsino and Ostrovtsy, on the Estonian shore - the cities of Kallaste and Mustvee.