Russian Forests

Forests and wetlands spread across the watershed east of Lake Onega, broken by lakes and narrow rivers. The Vodla and Ileksa offered routes through this northern country: Novgorodian traders travelled along them toward the inland forests and Pomorye. Communities grew around lakes such as Vodlozero, while stretches of wet ground and woodland lay between their cultivated clearings. In winter the frozen waters changed the routes available through the forest.