Baikal: Depth, Water, and Clarity

Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest lake, with a measured maximum depth of about 1,642 m (some references round this to 1,700 m). UNESCO estimates that it contains nearly one-fifth of the world’s unfrozen freshwater reserves. Water transparency can reach about 40 m, but varies by location and season. This is a transparency measure, not a guarantee that a person can see clearly to that depth in all conditions; particles, algae, and mixing affect it.