Lake Ülemiste
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Lake Ülemiste (Ülemiste järv) is the largest lake near Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Ülemiste is where most of the city gets its drinking water from. The lake is fed mostly by Kurna stream and Pirita river (through Vaskjala-Ülemiste canal).
Tallinn Airport is located on the eastern shore of the lake and aircraft regularly take off and land over the lake. The airport maintains the necessary equipment ready to tow out in a short time any aircraft that crashes into the lake, as required by ICAO regulations.
[edit] Mythology and fiction
In the lake there is boulder called Lindakivi ("Linda's rock"). In Estonian mythology, it is believed to be one of the boulders Linda was supposed to carry to Kalev's grave at Toompea, but which fell off her apron. She sat on the boulder and cried, thus creating the lake.
The legendary-mythological "Ülemiste Elder" (Estonian: Ülemiste vanake) is believed to live in the lake. If anyone should meet him, then he is believed to ask: "Is Tallinn ready yet?". If then the other person answered "yes", then he would flood the city. Thus, the correct answer would be: "No, there is much to be done yet".
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