Lake Engure

Location On the West side of the Gulf of Rīga, between Mērsrags and Engure, lies Lake Engure, separated from the gulf of Rīga by 1-3 km wide strip of land. On the West side of the Gulf of Rīga, between Mērsrags and Engure, lies Lake Engure, separated from the gulf of Rīga by 1-3 km wide strip of land.

Lake had been transformed when the canal was dug in 1842, and the northern tip of Lake Engure near the village Mērsrags was connected to the Rīga gulf. Lake had been transformed when the canal was dug in 1842, and the northern tip of Lake Engure near the village Mērsrags was connected to the Rīga gulf. The lake level dropped after excavating the canal by 1.5 m, but the size shrunk in half – from 90 km2 to 45 km2. Canal has been running very effectively not only in lowering the lake level, but also allowing gulf water to affect the lake. The lake level dropped after excavating the canal by 1.5 m, but the size shrunk in half – from 90 km2 to 45 km2. Canal has been running very effectively not only in lowering the lake level, but also allowing gulf water to affect the lake. Engure Lake is the third largest lake in Latvia Engure Lake is the third largest lake in Latvia

With the lake level falling population’s minds were overwhelmed with the amber- rush and findings in the new territories. Amber extraction process did not disappear without any effect, because the byproduct has been gathered - leftovers of mussel shells (calcium is an additive to domestic birds feeding). With the lake level falling population’s minds were overwhelmed with the amber- rush and findings in the new territories. Amber extraction process did not disappear without any effect, because the byproduct has been gathered - leftovers of mussel shells (calcium is an additive to domestic birds feeding).

Fish in the Lake Engure: Pike (Esox lucius) Bream (Abramis brama) Roach (Rutilus rutilus) Rudd (Scardinius erythrothalmus)

Tench (Tinca tinca) Cruciam carp (Carassius carassius) Perch (Perca fluviatilis) Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus)

Silver bream Burbot (Lota lota) Carp (Cyprinus carpio)Eel (Anguilla anguilla)

The history of Lake Engure Nature Park The history of Lake Engure Nature Park Engure Lake Nature Park was originally founded just as the Lake’s ornithological reserve starting from 1957 taking up to 3268 hectares. In 1977 the buffer zone, around the perimeter of Lake was created on the east coast, including forested area between the Lake and the sea, but on the West side more than 2 km's wide buffer zone was created. This area is around18, 000 hectares. The Nature Park is found near Ķūļciems, Mērsrags, Engure and Zentene civil parishes. Engure Lake Nature Park was originally founded just as the Lake’s ornithological reserve starting from 1957 taking up to 3268 hectares. In 1977 the buffer zone, around the perimeter of Lake was created on the east coast, including forested area between the Lake and the sea, but on the West side more than 2 km's wide buffer zone was created. This area is around18, 000 hectares. The Nature Park is found near Ķūļciems, Mērsrags, Engure and Zentene civil parishes. Engure Lake is one of the wetlands that is protected by Ramsar Convention in Latvia. It is also referred as one of the internationally important areas for birds. Engure Lake is one of the wetlands that is protected by Ramsar Convention in Latvia. It is also referred as one of the internationally important areas for birds.

Lake Engure Nature Park It is surrounded by forests up to 36.5% of the park territory; mostly coniferous forests %, leafy forests - 7.6%, mixed forests - 6.7%, scrub -8.9%. It is surrounded by forests up to 36.5% of the park territory; mostly coniferous forests %, leafy forests - 7.6%, mixed forests - 6.7%, scrub -8.9%. Lake Engure Nature Park is rich in many plants and bird species. The biodiversity and ecosystem of Lake Engure is one of the richest in Latvia. Lake Engure Nature Park is rich in many plants and bird species. The biodiversity and ecosystem of Lake Engure is one of the richest in Latvia.

Birds’ species in Engure Nature Park The Lake Engure N ature P ark has a rich bird life; with over 186 nesting bird species have been observed. The Lake Engure N ature P ark has a rich bird life; with over 186 nesting bird species have been observed. Sometimes in the Lake at the time can concentrate more than 20,000 birds. In autumn, it is important for cranes and geese as a resting place. Sometimes in the Lake at the time can concentrate more than 20,000 birds. In autumn, it is important for cranes and geese as a resting place.

Bird watching The reserve is easily accessible for the general public and there are bird observation points. For visitors, there is more than one observation, bird-watching tower. On the Eastern coast of Engure Lake there is an ornithological research centre, and a unique floating house modeled by ornithologists. Territory is suitable for holiday-makers, also walkers, cyclists and bird- watchers. There is a resting point close to the ornithological research center and a small exhibition house. The reserve is easily accessible for the general public and there are bird observation points. For visitors, there is more than one observation, bird-watching tower. On the Eastern coast of Engure Lake there is an ornithological research centre, and a unique floating house modeled by ornithologists. Territory is suitable for holiday-makers, also walkers, cyclists and bird- watchers. There is a resting point close to the ornithological research center and a small exhibition house.

The Floating house and the Recreation centre

Orchid path In Lake Engure Nature Park, grow 22 out of 32 occurring orchid species in Latvia. Total length of the path is about 3500 m. At the beginning, path winds through dry pine forest, where among moss and blueberries can be found small, white flowers - bloomy orchid – Sneak Orchid. A real paradise for the orchids is calcareous herbal marsh narrow gully in a pine forest because there grow Fly Orchid, Butterfly Orchid and Lady’s slipper Orchid. In Lake Engure Nature Park, grow 22 out of 32 occurring orchid species in Latvia. Total length of the path is about 3500 m. At the beginning, path winds through dry pine forest, where among moss and blueberries can be found small, white flowers - bloomy orchid – Sneak Orchid. A real paradise for the orchids is calcareous herbal marsh narrow gully in a pine forest because there grow Fly Orchid, Butterfly Orchid and Lady’s slipper Orchid.

Wild animal lair 2 km's away from Engure Lake ornithological centre one can meet wild beasts, freely grazing on the lake damp meadows. You can go to a view tower and get a real nice view of the area (unless with gumboots) where from the birds-eye view, Latvian Blue cows and wild horses grazing can be seen. 2 km's away from Engure Lake ornithological centre one can meet wild beasts, freely grazing on the lake damp meadows. You can go to a view tower and get a real nice view of the area (unless with gumboots) where from the birds-eye view, Latvian Blue cows and wild horses grazing can be seen.

Information from: m.ppt‎ m.ppt‎ n_by_the_sea_%282006%29/ n_by_the_sea_%282006%29/

Thank you! Engure Secondary School, 2011