Lake Lacha

Lake Lacha gathers the waters of the Lekshma and other rivers in the northern forest country. From its northern end the Onega flows toward the White Sea, passing Kargopol shortly after leaving the lake. Fish sustained communities around its shores, while the Onega gave access to the salt-producing coast. Salt brought upriver to Kargopol was weighed and sold to merchants from the interior, placing the lake beside a route joining the northern sea with the lands farther south.