Niegocin – a moraine lake in the Great Lakes Region in Warmia and Mazury Voivodeship; area: 2604 ha, depth: 39.7 m. Niegocin is the third largest body of water in the Great Masurian Lakes country.
Characteristics
Lake Niegocin is a eutrophic lake of the moraine and grey type, with a varied bottom with a large number of depressions and extensive shallows in the middle of the lake; the shores of the lake are mostly low, the northern part of the shore is occupied by the built-up area of the town of Giżycko. The shoreline of the lake is well developed, measuring approximately 35 km in length. Emergent vegetation dominates the littoral, covering about two-thirds of the shore, and includes species such as common reed. This vegetation also covers over 15% of the total lake bed area.
In the north, Niegocin is connected to Lake Kisajno (part of Lake Mamry) by channels. Those interested in sailing to Kisajno can use two routes. The first is the eastern Gizycko Canal, which runs through Gizycko. The second one leads through the Niegociński Canal to Lake Tajty and then through the short Pięknohorski Canal. In the south, through a network of lakes and canals (Lake Boczne, Kula Canal, Lake Jagodne, Lake Szymonecki (actually Jagodny Bay), Szymon Canal, Szymon, Mioduński Canal, Kotek Wielki, Grunwaldzki Canal, Tałtowisko, Tałcki Canal) you can reach Lake Tałty and then Lake Mikołajskie and Śniardwy.
Giżycko is located on the northern shore of the lake and Wilkasy on the western shore. The Niegocin River is crossed by a sailing route from Giżycko to Mikołajki, Ruciane-Nida and Pisz. The two largest bays are considered separate lakes. These are Lake Boczne on the south-western shore (on the route to Mikołajki) and Lake Niałk at the south-eastern end. In the eastern part of the lake there is the Grajewska Kępa island.
History of Lake Niegocin
As late as the 16th century, Niegocin and Lake Boczne were separate reservoirs and there was a land passage between Rydzew and Bogaczew. This is evidenced by the fact that until the beginning of the 17th century the rectory of the Rydzew church was located in Bogaczew. It was moved to the vicinity of the church only after the water from the lake had drained away.
The name Niegocin was officially introduced in 1949, replacing the previous German name of the lake – Löwentin See.
