In the middle of the 16th century the city's founder Jan Amor Tarnowski received permission to build a dam and create a pond. It was done not for recreational purposes: the reservoir became a part of the cities’ fortification, which protected the townspeople from attacks by Turks and Tatars. In the center of the city stood a fortress built by Tarnavsky. The reservoir was 7 kilometers long and about three kilometers wide.
Today the lake has an area of ??300 hectares and is one of the largest artificial lakes in Ukraine.

Economic importance
A high dam was built along the road to Lviv. It was the responsibility of the townspeople to take care of it. The pond gave the owner significant profits. A little later four mills were built here and fish were bred in the lake: pike, perch, carp, crucian carp.
In the 17th century four mills were established here, and pike, crucian carp, carp, catfish and perch were bred in the reservoir, which brought the city considerable income. At the beginning of the 20th century the pond was leased by a local entrepreneur who was then supplying fish to several Polish cities. Some divers who have studied the pond claim that the length of individual catfish was 2-3 meters, and underwater it was possible to come across crayfish or mollusks.
In the period between the two world wars the pond began to decline, as did the entire urban economy. It had a low water level, and it silted up, and a lot of vegetation appeared in the pond. But the worst thing happened during the Second World War: it became completely destroyed.
Restoration of the reservoir began in the postwar years as part of the subordination of all water resources to local authorities. A new dam was built, after which the water level rose. The reservoir became even larger in the area: more than 300 hectares, and received a new name - Komsomol Lake. A park called Taras Shevchenko Park was laid between it and the city center on the east bank. At the same time, they made Valentine's Island. Komsomolske Lake was renamed in 1992, since then the reservoir has been called Ternopil Pond.
The modern name of the lake has been established since Ukraine's independence in 1992. - Ternopil pond, which concentrates a lot of aquatic vegetation, is dominated by a large yellow water lily, which blooms in late June, and in the lake there are wild ducks and seagulls. In the west of the pond near the village of Bila reeds and various species of willows grow.

Motor ships
The first motor ship on the pond appeared in 1968. Rides are possible each weekend and only when the weather conditions are good. One is called „Hero of the Dancers“, the other „Captain Pariah“. Watercraft is also used for corporate events, weddings, and other events. In addition to ships the sailing yacht „Ternopil“ runs on the lake. It is „registered“ at the berth in Shevchenko Park, opposite to the playground. It can also be ordered for a walk.

Infrastructure
Pioneer Hydropark (now Topilche) was created near the Ternopil pond. Catamarans can be rented on Lake Chaika during the warm season. Dozens of catering establishments are currently operating around the pond. There are also many hotels and entertainment venues nearby. In the 1980s, two islands were created on Ternopil Lake - the island of „Lovers“ and „Seagull“.
The most romantic and beautiful place is the Island of Lovers in the middle of the Ternopil pond. You can get to Valentine's Island by boat or on the bridge that connects the island and the park.
Ternopil Reservoir is a beauty and a symbol of the regional center. It is not only a place to relax and have fun, but also a cultural and historical monument. Ternopil pond is about the same age as the city of Ternopil.
Ternopil has been hosting world-class water sports competitions for several years in a row.

Internet sources
drymba.com: Ternopil pond („Ternopil Sea“) (Ternopil): map, photos, description (Ukrainian)
rovrto.davr.gov.ua: Water pearls of Ternopil region (Ukrainian)
zabytki.in.ua: Ternopil Lake (Ukrainian)

(Alina Peleshok, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 2022. This object was created during the Russo-Ukrainian War in April/May 2022)