Disappearance of Lake Jelenino Since the End of the XVIII Century as an Effect of Anthropogenic Transformations of the Natural Environment

Abstract

This study presents the contribution of reclamation works to the disappearance of Lake Jelenino. On the basis of cartographic materials from the 19 and 20 centuries, as well as historical records, it was possible to establish that the lake of area 495.2 ha disappeared as a result of precise actions aimed at creating new settlements. Reclamation works proceeded in two stages. After the first stage, which took place in 1778-86, the area of Lake Jelenino was reduced by over 360 ha. In the 1970s the reservoir, whose area then amounted to 130 ha, was completely dried. Such a transformation of the natural environment was followed by social and economic changes – inhabitants of Jelenino village, who until then lived by fishing, in a short period of time retrained for agriculture and breeding.