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Lake Baikal Facts & Worksheets

Lake Baikal is an active rift lake in Southern Siberia in Russia. It is known for being the oldest, deepest, and largest lake in the world by volume.

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Lake Baikal is an active rift lake in Southern Siberia in Russia. It is known for being the oldest, deepest, and largest lake in the world by volume. The lake is rich in biodiversity. It is home to more than 1,000 species of aquatic plants and 2,500 species of animals.

See the fact file below for more information on Lake Baikal, or you can download our 28-page Lake Baikal worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

GEOGRAPHY AND  HYDROGRAPHY

  • Lake Baikal is located in Southern Siberia, Russia, in Asia. It holds the title of being the deepest and largest freshwater lake in the world by volume. 
  • Lake Baikal is classified as an active rift lake. It was formed by a divergent plate boundary, in which the Amur continental plate slowly moves away from the Eurasian plate.
  • Approximately the rate of its movement is about 4 to 5 millimeters per year. The annual movement of the continental plate beneath the Baikal Lake makes it grow broader and deeper through subsistence.
  • Lake Baikal has a length of 636 km and an area of 31,500 sq km, which contains 20% of the earth’s freshwater reserves and 90% of Russia’s freshwater surface. 
  • The lake has a depth of  1,700 meters, making it the deepest lake in the world. Furthermore, it is also considered the oldest lake, with an approximate age of 25 million years.
  • Lake Baikal is surrounded by mountains: the north shore is bounded by the Baikal Mountains, the northeastern shore is bordered by the Barguzin Range, and the western shore stretches along the Primorsky Range. These mountains around the lake are protected as a national park.
  • Aside from the gigantic landforms, Lake Baikal contains 27 islands, the largest among these is Olkhon Island, also considered the third largest lake-bound island in the world, with a length of 72 km.
  • More than 330 streams and rivers flow into Lake Baikal, the largest of which includes the Selenga, Barguzin, Upper Angara, Turka, Sarma, and Snezhnaya. 

WATER CHARACTERISTICS

  • Lake Baikal is one of the clearest lakes in the world. One can see the bottom of the lake up to 130 ft from the surface.
  • The lake is rich in oxygen even in its deep section, meaning it can sustain life even in its furthest depth. This characteristic of the lake is unusual to other bodies of water, where the deeper part has no presence of oxygen.
  • The water temperature in the lake significantly varies depending on climatic seasons. Typically, the surface freezes during winter and spring. The ice starts forming in December, and the lake freezes until March.
  • The ice covering the lake’s surface begins to break up during the summer from June to August when the sun warms up the water causing the ice sheets to melt. 
  • The lake commonly experiences stormy weather, particularly during the summer and autumn, which results in waves as high as 15 feet. 

FLORA

  • Lake Baikal has a rich biodiversity, and supports several life forms in its water and along its coast. The lake is home to more than 1,000 species of aquatic plants. The most common are sedge, thin reed, cattail, and hornwort.
  • Sedges are grass-like plants commonly found in moist soils and shallow water areas such as lakes, rivers, or swamps. This plant resembles grasses which typically grow in thick clusters that can grow as tall as  4 feet. 
  • Like Sedges, Reed plants commonly grow in moist grounds and shallow water areas. They are characterized by their strong hollow stems that can grow to 6 meters which can be used to produce products such as baskets and mats. 
  • Cattail plants are aquatic plants found in wet areas such as rice fields, irrigation canals, and swaps. It has long, flat leaves, unusual flowering spikes, and fleshy creeping stems that can grow to 6 feet. 
  • Hornwort are flowerless aquatic plants that grow in ponds, lakes, and streams. Their whorled leaves divide into narrow, feathery segments. This plant can grow up to 10 feet tall.

FAUNA

  • Lake Baikal is home to more than 2,500 species of animals, 80% of which are endemic, such as the Baikal, Baikal omul fish, and the Baikal oilfish. Common animals living at the lake include Mongolian Gulls and various species of amphipods.
  • The Baikal seal, also called Nerpa, is a freshwater seal endemic to Lake Baikal. It is relatively small, with an average size of 3 to 4 feet and a maximum length of 5 feet. These animals are characterized by their big eyes, steel-grey and dark brown fur, and yellowish tinge in their abdomens.
  • The Baikal Omul is a whitefish salmon species endemic to the Baikal Lake. It is characterized by its relatively small size, terminal mouth, large eyes, long and thin gill, and small scales. This fish is considered a delicacy and primary product of the commercial fishing industry in Lake Baikal.
  • The Baikal oilfish is also an endemic species of the Baikal Lake. It is characterized by its translucent body with no scales and large fan-shaped pectoral fins. It is relatively small and ranges from 6 to 8 inches long.
  • The Mongolian gull is a common species of migratory bird found in Lake Baikal. It is characterized by its medium size, white-colored head, long light gray wings,  pale eyes with red orbital rings, and thick pinkish legs.
  • Amphipods are shrimp-like creatures with an approximate size of 3 inches. This creature is prevalent in Lake Baikal, and there are more than 350 species and subspecies in the lake. Most of these creatures are white, although some have green, light brown, and black coloration. Many of the amphipods turn red as they die. 

ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS

  • Lake Baikal is one of the designated world heritage sites of UNESCO. Despite this recognition, the lake experiences environmental threats, especially air pollution, water pollution, and climate change.
  • Air pollution in the air basin of Lake Baikal is caused by the chemical emissions from aluminum and chemical factories, as well as from coal-fired power plants in nearby cities. This results in potential damage to plants and lessens air quality near the lake. 
  • Water pollution in Lake Baikal is caused by agricultural and industrial runoff and poor sewerage treatment from nearby households. This results in the rise of algae in some parts of the lake’s coastline, poor water quality, and killing some species of animals inhabiting the lake. 
  • Climate change also affects Lake Baikal; this is caused by the burning of fossil fuels worldwide, which Russia’s industries contribute to. This results in an increase in water temperature and a decline in the number of endemic species of plants and animals in the lake. 
  • Lake Baikal needs protection from harmful human activities to prevent the destruction and extinction of the plants and animals living on it. Furthermore, to maintain the rich water quality of the lake.

Lake Baikal Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Lake Baikal across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal is an active rift lake in Southern Siberia in Russia. It is known for being the oldest, deepest, and largest lake in the world by volume.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Lake Baikal Facts
  2. Fill-in My Profile
  3. Geographic Q’s
  4. Plate Boundaries
  5. Trivia Tiles
  6. Naming Flora
  7. Finding Fauna
  8. Cause and Effect
  9. Stop or Go?
  10. Fact Check
  11. K-W-L Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lake Baikal located?

Lake Baikal is located in southern Siberia, Russia. It is situated between the Irkutsk Oblast to the northwest and the Buryat Republic to the southeast.

What are the notable features of Lake Baikal?

Lake Baikal is the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world. It is known for its stunning clarity, pristine beauty, and unique ecosystem. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, including the Baikal Mountains, and it contains approximately 20% of the world’s unfrozen freshwater.

How large is Lake Baikal?

Lake Baikal is incredibly large. It has a surface area of about 31,722 square kilometers (12,248 square miles), making it one of the largest lakes in the world by surface area. Its maximum depth reaches 1,642 meters (5,387 feet), making it the deepest continental body of water globally.

What is the significance of Lake Baikal?

Lake Baikal is of immense ecological importance and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is home to a remarkable array of endemic plant and animal species, including the Baikal seal. The lake’s unique and ancient ecosystem has attracted scientists from around the world for research and study.

How is Lake Baikal used by the local communities?

Lake Baikal has been vital to the local communities for centuries. The lake supports various economic activities, including fishing, transportation, and tourism. The surrounding areas are inhabited by indigenous Buryat people, who have a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the lake. They engage in traditional practices, such as fishing, hunting, and herding, which sustain their livelihoods and preserve their cultural heritage.

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Link will appear as Lake Baikal Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 16, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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