Lake Teperis and Promenade
About the lake
- Lake Teperis is located in the north-eastern part of Smiltene, at the end of Dakteru Street.
- The lake was created on the River Abuls, a tributary of the Gauja (42 km from its confluence with the Gauja), and was originally used to power the turbines of Smiltene HPP.
- Average depth: 1.9 m; maximum depth: 9.5 m (near the sluice gates). Water levels may fluctuate depending on the operation of the sluice regulator.
- The lake’s vegetation includes plant species typical of Latvian eutrophic lakes, such as reeds, horsetails, cattails, sweet flag, yellow water lilies, pondweeds, arrowheads, and elodea. The main fish species of Lake Teperis are bream, roach, perch, rudd, tench, and crucian carp.
- An island has formed in the central part of the water reservoir, and is connected to the shore by two pedestrian bridges.
History
- The lake was originally called Kalnezers (“Hill Lake”), as Vidusezers (“Middle Lake”) lay downstream. The lake’s waters powered a waterwheel connected to a lifting shaft for a hammer. Because of the large hammer, the lake was called Ēmurs (“Hammer”). After the iron-hammer owner went bankrupt, it was taken over by an Estonian named Tepfers, and since then, the lake has carried the name of its last owner. Today, it is known as Lake Teperis.
- 1901. In 1901, Prince Paul Lieven, the owner of Smiltene Manor, built the first hydroelectric power station in the Baltic states on Lake Teperis, which operated until 1961.
- Reconstruction of the lake’s hydraulic structures and construction of the promenade were completed in 2015.
Leisure opportunities
The scenic surroundings of Lake Teperis are a beloved place for both locals and visitors, as it offers peaceful walks, picnics and active recreation. There, you can see the Lake Teperis promenade, the dam with a waterfall, and a floating fountain. In the evenings, the floating fountain is illuminated, and the bridge to the island of Lake Teperis is lit.
The lakeshore offers well-equipped recreation areas and swimming spots, as well as the facilities of the Sports and Recreation Complex “Teperis”, including beach volleyball courts, a football stadium, an ice hockey rink, tennis courts, a go-kart track, and a motor racing track. Adults and children can also use the outdoor fitness area and the rope pyramid.
On the Lake Teperis promenade, you will find the active equipment rental “Annes laivas”. There, it is possible to rent boats, SUP boards, catamarans, electric bicycles, pedal karts, roller skates, and other active recreation gear.
