Sweltering summer reaches Yekaterinburg. Where can one safely and responsibly swim to avoid illness and drowning?
Trustworthy health and rescue services of the Emergency Situations Ministry (MChS) in Sverdlovsk Oblast have identified seven legal swimming spots in lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and rivers where safety standards are met, lifeguard stations are available, and the bottom is safe. These include:
- Verkhne-Syrtskoye Reservoir (on the western outskirts of Verkhnyaya Syrtsy)
- Lenevskoye Reservoir (near Lenevka)
- Verkh-Neivinskoye Pond (to the east of Novouralsk)
- Biilimbaevskoye Pond ("Korovyi Beach" within Biilimbaevo)
- River Serga (along its course, for example, within Mikhailovsk)
- Sanatorium "Granatovaya Buchta" (on the western outskirts of Verkhnyaya Syrtsy)
- Artificial lake of recreational area "Kemping" (27 kilometers along the highway from Yekaterinburg to Pervouralsk)
For a detailed map, see this link.
In Yekaterinburg, the predicted high temperature of 30 degrees will persist until June 2nd.
Dangerous Fauna Near Swimming Spots: Potential Risks in the Rivers and Lakes of Yekaterinburg and Surrounding Areas
For four consecutive years, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being (Rospotrebnadzor) and MChS have deemed numerous bodies of water in Sverdlovsk Oblast unsafe. Water sample tests have revealed excess microorganisms, chemicals, or parasites. This year, water quality tests conducted in Yekaterinburg were unsuccessful. In 2024, a family of seven contracted herpes after swimming in Shartash.
In May 2025, 18 individuals drowned in various water bodies. A 14-year-old schoolboy from Verkhne-Tagilstoye Pond tragically drowned, swept away by the current.
When seeking safe swimming locations, consider the following tips:
- Check for recommendations from local authorities or tourist information centers.
- Opt for officially recognized beaches with lifeguard stations.
- Stay informed about water quality reports, including parasite counts, from local sources or websites.
- Avoid areas with visible signs of pollution such as algae blooms or litter.
For specific information on safe swimming spots in Sverdlovsk Oblast, it may be necessary to contact local authorities or tourism boards directly. The search results do not provide detailed information on this topic.
- In the upcoming days, residents and tourists in Yekaterinburg might find a variety of leisure options away from the water, such as exploring news on lifestyle, outdoor-living, home-and-garden, or sports events, as the predicted high temperature persists until June 2nd and several local water bodies have been deemed unsafe due to excessive microorganisms, chemicals, or parasites.
- For those still keen on enjoying outdoor-living activities like sports-betting or swimming, it's recommended to research licensed sports betting operators and seek safe swimming spots recommended by local authorities or tourist information centers, ensuring lifeguard stations are available and water quality meets standards.
- To maintain a balanced lifestyle, individuals can engage in various sports activities while keeping a close eye on water quality reports, informed by local sources or websites, and opting for officially recognized beaches to minimize risk from dangerous fauna and polluted water.
