|
Shaori Lake There are several reservoirs and dams in Georgia, but Lake Shaori in the Racha region is certainly one of the most beautiful. Lake Shaori is a special destination due to its location at an altitude of over 1,100 metres, its size (7 kilometres long), the mountains and the mixed forest with many different species of trees surrounding the lake, which is a colourful paradise especially in spring and autumn. The lake is also ideal for swimming, fishing and camping, and for walkers there are several easy and medium difficulty trails around the lake. Location Lake Shaori is located in the Racha region, 55 kilometres north-east of Kutaisi. The road to the lake is paved and can be reached by car. Public transport to Lake Shaori From Tbilisi or Kutaisi, marshutkas (minibuses) run past the lake to Oni or Ambrolauri. However, since the construction of a new road from Tbilisi via Sachkhere to Racha, not all buses pass Lake Shaori. General Information Lake Shaori was dammed between 1950 and 1955. Shaori lake and its tributaries Shaori River was dammed to create the lake, but before that there were two small lakes in the area (Kharis-Tvala and Dzrokhis-Tvala). The lake receives additional water from several mountain streams, melted snow and annual rainfall of around 1500 mm. Tourism on the lake The Shaori reservoir and its surroundings are pretty much left to nature. There are several places where you can camp. You can fish from the shore or take your own boat into the lake. The water is clean and you can swim here in the summer, although the water is relatively fresh, in July and August the water is around 15 º Celsius. There are a few wooden huts and small cafes around the lake, as well as a medium-sized hotel with a restaurant and small pool. In 2018, a general plan for the development of infrastructure at Lake Shaori was approved. Among other things, footpaths and cycle paths will be built around the reservoir over the next few years. Fish species in Lake Shaori The most common fish species in the reservoir are Carp, striped bream, varicorhinus, grass carp, silver carp and trout. Birds and animal species Chamois, roe deer, wolves, foxes, wildcats, martens, squirrels and hares can be found in the forests around Lake Shaori. Bird species include hawks, falcons, kites, tawny owls, woodpeckers, jays, etc. Tree species At the lake there are mainly firs, spruces, oaks and beeches. There are also hazel, yew, poplar, medlar, barberry, wild apple, dogwood, etc. Interesting facts - Before the construction of the reservoir, the Shaori basin was a plain with alpine vegetation, two small lakes and numerous clean springs. - The beneficial effects of the air in the Shaori area were known as far back as the Middle Ages, but it was not until 1898 that doctors wrote in detail about its properties and beneficial effects on health, after 10,000 Russian-Georgian soldiers had been stationed in the area for several months in the summer of that year and hardly anyone caught a serious cold or virus. There were plans to create a health resort in the area, but the Bolsheviks came to power a few years later and the plans were changed. - Construction of the reservoir began in 1950 and after 5 years both the reservoir and the hydroelectric power station with a capacity of 39 megawatts were completed. - There are several warm underground springs in the vicinity of Lake Shaori, the exact characteristics of which have not yet been studied. - There are numerous karst caves of various sizes around the lake, most of which have not yet been explored. - From the reservoir to the village of Nikortsmonda there are about 5 kilometres of underground karst lake. |
