Situated in the Masurian Lake district in the Northern region of Poland, Hańcza Lake is cold, mysterious, and the deepest in all of Poland, with maximum depth at 108.5 meters. Fed by the Czarna Hańcza, or Hańcza River, it is 4.5 kilometers long and 1.2 kilometers wide. Part of a post-glacial channel, and connected to more than one hundred other lakes in the same region, it sits like an emerald jewel among open fields and the remnants of primeval forests. The lake was named an ecological reserve in 1963, and while Suwałki Landscape Park, which contains it, is popular with all kinds of adventure seekers, the lake attracts divers year round.
The Geology, Conditions, and Wildlife of Hańcza Lake
The structure of the lake reflects the glacial activity that carved it thousands of years ago, if not earlier. With stony beaches unique unto itself plus relic species of zooplankton and crustaceans that are found hundreds of miles away in the mountain lakes of Scandinavia, the lake has a steep, sloping shoreline, particularly along its western section. Despite its location in the lowlands, it bears a stunning resemblance to lakes found at much higher mountain elevations, with beautiful inlets and fingers of land that extend out toward the center of the lake.
Surrounded by soaring boulders and rock formations that cover its banks and bottom, the lake is nearly free of vegetation and is renowned as the clearest lake in Poland, with visibility varying from three to fifteen meters depending upon season and depth. Visibility here is best on winter ice dives and below the thermocline in summer.
The lake is home to twenty-three unique fish species, including lake trout, which were reintroduced in 1991 after being fished out. In addition, you’ll find whitefish, including a species called the Powan which is also found in Scotland’s lochs. Another intriguing species found here is Cottus Poecilopus, the Alpine Bullhead, which is a type of sculpin found all throughout Eastern Europe, China, and North Korea. Rare Brook Minnows and European Minnows can be seen here as well, along with Spined Loach, which are sometimes called Spotted Weather Loach and which defend themselves via spines located under the eyes; don’t touch these little fish – they can inflict a very painful sting. The aquatic life here tends to be quite scattered; don’t expect to encounter more than a few fish per dive.
Hańcza Lake’s underwater topography is the main attraction; and, it is simply incredible, with some of the largest boulders being over nine meters across. Channels between the boulders are covered with smaller river pebbles, and deeper trenches and mysterious hollows that were formed as the ancient glaciers ground their way through the valley are some of the most beautiful sculptures ever created by nature.
Most diving at Hańcza Lake is conducted from shore, and Poland’s Underwater Activity Commission PTTK, which is a member of CMAS, can provide air and equipment, as well as connect visiting divers with local dive buddies. The entire area offers excellent accommodations ranging from campgrounds to hotels, as well as restaurants and topside cultural events and sightseeing to keep you occupied between dives.