Lake Ebargul and its economic appropriation by the Tatars of the Ust-Ishim district of Omsk region in the past and present

This article presents the evidence from the expedition in the summer of2023 to Ust-Ishim District of Omsk Region along with documents, maps, and published historical sources. Economic activities on one of the lakes in Northern Omsk Region and use of territory around the lake are discussed. New evidence presented in this article expands the knowledge of nature management among the Western Siberian Tatars. The first part provides information about lakes from the written sources of the late 17th-19th centuries. Further, planigraphy, toponymy, and infrastructure of Lake Ebargul are described. The lake has separate parts reservoir and the dried part. There is also a water flow from the lake (a part of the Shushar River) and second part of the Shushar River which feeds the reservoir. Fishing on the lake (fishing objects, fishing methods, use offish catch) and use of areas adjacent to reservoir (for haymaking, hunting, picking berries) are discussed along with information about archaeological sites discovered. It is concluded that sophisticated planigraphy of the lake and developed infrastructure make it one of the main economic objects for the settlement. Fishing occupied and continues to occupy an important place in its economy. Interestingfishing techniques included the use of krivda and botalo implements. Fishing on springs, which the Tatars practice on lakes in the north of Omsk Region, is described. The example of economic development of Lake Ebargul reveals the way of using lake resources typical of the taiga zone of Northern Omsk Region.