Lake Vshivoe

Lake Vshivoe lies in Shpakovsky District, 2 km south-east of Demino khutor, on the Grachyovka–Egorlyk divide at 505 m. The State Water Register gives an area of 2.595 km². It is an ancient water body in a dystrophic stage, slowly overgrowing into bog. The regional “Vshivoe Lake” reserve boundary follows the shore. In drought years it can dry up — reported in 2020. Local tradition links the name not to “lice” but to the lake “catching” travellers — boggy approaches and dense shore vegetation made detours hard. Today it suits ecologists and birdwatchers more than swimming. Vshivoe shows how the steppe plateau keeps relict wetlands far from Caucasian Mineral Waters resorts. Best as part of a trip to Stavropol’s eastern fringe.