Lake Wielimie

Wielimie is a lake in the Drawsko Lakeland, in Szczecinek municipality. The Gwda River flows through the lake, and the Nizica, flowing out of Lake Trzesiecko, runs into it. The water surface covers from 1637.5 to 1754.6 ha, depending on the measurement, and the average depth is 2.2 m and the maximum 5.5 m.

Owcza Island blocks the view

The main body of water is hidden by Owcza Island, according to Wikipedia the largest inland lake island in Poland (96.13 ha). The view over the broad water surface can be enjoyed only from around the village of Gwda Wielka, about 10 km from Szczecinek. The arm close to the town is cut off by quaking bogs, and in the last decade it has at times been polluted and closed to navigation because of bird colonies.

Why the town no longer reaches the shore

The lake used to be larger and deeper, and its waters surrounded the town from the north and north-west. At the end of the 18th century, after floods, the inhabitants brought specialists from the Netherlands to lower the water level of Wielimie and Trzesiecko. The south-western shore turned into quaking bogs and the island grew larger.

Practical information

• Location: Kolonia Gwda Wielka, Szczecinek County.
• Beach: according to Wikipedia there is a beach by the lake and also a naturist beach; the municipality gives the location and the rules.
• In Szczecinek: the Regional Museum.