Lake Asveja

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Lake Asveja
Dubingiai Lake
image_lake = Dubingiai Lake.jpg
caption_lake = Lake Asveja and wooden bridge across the lake.
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Lithuania
coords = coord|55|02|35|N|25|30|17|E|region:LT_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow = Dubinga River
catchment =
basin_countries = Lithuania
length = convert|21.9|km|mi|abbr=on
width = convert|880|m|ft|abbr=on
area = convert|9.78|km2|mi2|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth = convert|50.2|m|ft|abbr=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities = Dubingiai

Lake Asveja or Dubingiai Lake (Lithuanian: "Asveja" or "Dubingių ežeras") is the longest lake in Lithuania (length: 21.9 km or 29.7 km counting the Žalktynė, Vyriogala and Dubingiai bights). It covers 9.78 km² area and reaches a depth of 50.2m which makes it the third deepest lake in Lithuania. It lies partly in Molėtai district, Švenčionys district and Vilnius district. The alternative name comes from the historical Dubingiai Castle, constructed on the former island, and the small town of Dubingiai situated on the lake. The town is a popular tourist destination. Žeimena River flows through the lake Fact|date=July 2007 and people rent boats or kayaks to go down the river to the Neris River.

The lake formed when water flowed under the melting icecaps during the last glacial period. Such lakes are similar to rivers: they are long, narrow (the greatest width of Asveja is only 880 m.), and deep. Other such lakes in Lithuania include Tauragnas, Sartai, and Aisetas. In 1992 Asveja Regional Park was established to protect the ecosystem and landscape.

One of the curiosities is a wooden bridge across the lake. It was built in 1934 and is still in use. President Antanas Smetona participated in the opening of the first bridge across a lake in Lithuania. The bridge is 84 m in length; the lake is up to 15 m in depth at that point.

External links

* [http://www.asveja.lt Website of the lake]
* [http://www.litorina-dubingiai.lt/index_en.html Dubingiai Resort Center]