Water resources

Many rivers and streams start and flow on picturesque slopes of mountains of the Carpathian National Nature Park and carry their waters to the Prut and the Black Cheremosh rivers. There are hydrological monuments of nature as well as especially valuable natural complexes on the Park’s territory.

The Prut River, the main waterway of the national park, starts at the foot of the highest mountain of the Ukrainian Carpathians, called Hoverla at an altitude of 1750 m a.s.l.. The river absorbs numerous streams with exotic names: Tsybulnyk, Nesamovytyi, Prutets Chemyhivskyi, Prutets Yablunytskyi, Zhenets, Pihy, Zhonka, Kamianka, and others on its way. These tributaries play an exceptional role in preservation of population of brown trout.

The Prut is a left tributary of the Danube River. Its length is 967 km (272 km are on the territory of Ukraine). An area of its basin is 27.5 thousand square kilometers. An average flow near the city of Leova is 69.2 cubic meters per second. A river slope varies from 100 m/km (near its source) to 0.05 m/km (near its mouth). In highlands (before village of Delyatyn) it is rather mountainous. There is a waterfall near the town of Yaremche. Spring freshets, summer floods, an increased winter runoff, as a result of thaws and rains, are typical for the Prut. There is ice formation on the river from January or February until the beginning of March.

Cascade type waterfalls on the Prut near Hoverla belong to geomorphologically valuable sites. The total length of their first cascade is about 80 m. It is called Huk by local inhabitants. Its name indicates the character of a water flow and features of their streams.

There is another Huk waterfall at Zhenets tract. It is also called Huk Zhenetskyi. The waterfall was created in the post-war period in a result of a flood. Water falls from a rock, which is 15 m high. This picturesque waterfall also belongs to geomorphological valuable sites.

Probiy waterfall is one of the most full-flowing waterfalls within Yaremche town. It is also a favorite place of tourists and local residents. The waterfall was created in the lower part of the Prut river canyon. It is a hydrological monument of nature.

Girl's Tears waterfall is situated on a left tributary of the Prut, called the Zhonka River in Yaremche. Its height is 1.8 m, width of a water flow is about 2 m. There is a convenient shallow pond below the waterfall. In summer, everyone can plunge into cool mountain water. There is a rest area near the waterfall.

The Black Cheremosh River is a river in the Ukrainian Carpathians in the Hutsul region, the left outflow of the Cheremosh. Together with the White Cheremosh, it forms the beginning of the Cheremosh. The river belongs to the Danube basin. Its length is 87 km. The catchment basin area is 856 square kilometers. A narrow picturesque valley with steep slopes is covered with dense forests. There are terraces in some areas in its lower flow. There is even a small 50-60 m wide floodplain. Nearby the village of Verkhovyna it reaches up to 300-500 m. There are many rapids of different difficulty on the river. The considerable part of its banks is strengthened. The river is used for water supply, rafting, and recreation. The Black Cheremosh starts on the northeastern slopes of Chyvchynski Mountains, which belong to the Maramorosy massif of the Ukrainian Carpathians. It flows through the territory of the Verkhovyna rayon of the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

Particularly valuable hydrological sites include high mountain lakes of glacial origin:

Maricheyka is a high-altitude lake in the Carpathians (1510 m.a.s.l.), on the Chornohora ridge, located in the southern part of the Carpathian National Park, on the northeastern slope of Mount Shuryn. Maricheyka is a lake of glacial origin. It is 88 m long and 45 m wide. Its shores are low, partly covered with subalpine meadows, partly with sedge thickets. They are surrounded with a forest of spruce and mountain pine. It feeds on underground and partially atmospheric waters. The water is fresh and clean. Its bottom is flat and muddy. The maximum depth is 0.8 m. A stream flowing from the lake flows into the Pogorilets River (a tributary of the Black Cheremosh). Pip Ivan Mount (2022 m a.s.l.), one of the highest peaks of the Ukrainian Carpathians is located to the northwest of the lake.

Nesamovyte is one of the highest lakes of the Ukrainian Carpathians (1750 m.a.s.l.). It lies within the territory of the Carpathian National Park, in a glacial cirque (valley) on the eastern slopes of Mount Turkul in the Chornohora ridge. This lake has a glacial origin. The length of the lake is 88 m, its width is 45 m. Its depth over the entire area ranges from 1 to 1.5 m. It is fed mainly with precipitation. The lake freezes in winter. In the northern part sandy and muddy sediments are typical. The southern and western shores are stony. The moraine (a layer of rocks collected by a glacier on its way) along the opposite shore is covered with subalpine meadows, where mountain pine, aspen and juniper grow. Nesamovyte has been intensively overgrown with sedge in recent years. The lake has no surface runoff, but below the morainic rampart several streams flow, tributaries of the Prut.

Natural springs are a special value of the Carpathian National Nature Park. Many travellers stop by them to quench their thirst. This waster is safe to drink and it is recommended for everyday use. Spring water has a positive effect on a digestive system. Some springs contain silver, which is known for its bactericidal qualities.