Lake Ilmen

Lake Ilmen
Location	Novgorod Oblast
Coordinates	58°20′N 31°20′E
Primary inflows	Msta, Lovat, Shelon
Primary outflows	Volkhov
Basin countries	Russia
Max. length	40 km (25 mi)
Max. width	32 km (20 mi)
Surface area	982 km2 (379 sq mi)
Max. depth	10 m (33 ft)
Water volume	12 km3 (2.9 cu mi)
Surface elevation	18 m (59 ft)

Ilmen (Russian: Ильмень) is a historically important lake in the Novgorod Oblast of Russia, formerly a vital part of the Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. The city of Novgorod lies six kilometers below the lake's outflow.

Its average surface area is 982 km² (may vary from 733 to 2,090 km² depending on water level). The lake is fed by 52 inflowing rivers, the four main ones being the Msta, the Pola, the Lovat, and the Shelon and is drained through a single outlet, the Volkhov, into Lake Ladoga, and subsequently via the Neva into the Gulf of Finland.

The water level is regulated by the Volkhov hydroelectric plant situated downstream the Volkhov River. Water temperature in July is 19-20°C. Bathing season is about 90 days. Fishery. Shipping lines are Novgorod – Staraya Russa and Novgorod – Shimsk.

The lake area was the location of an important battle during World War II, the Demyansk Pocket.

Trivia

• Folk Metal band Turisas makes a reference Lake Ilmen in their song "A Portage to the Unknown".