Pedestrian Bridge Over Mersrags Canal

Mersrags Canal

The excavation of the approx. 4-km-long canal was ordered by the government of Russia’s Tsar in 1842. Its purpose was to lower the water level of the Lake Engure, thus acquiring more land for agricultural use. Also, the lake with its high-water levels regularly caused damage to all surrounding meadows – in Dzirciems and Kulciems. The canal was dug out by workers (sent in specifically from Russia for the task), using nothing but spades.

In reality, the digging of a canal was suggested by the landlords that owned the land in Mersrags territory, in hopes that they would acquire more agricultural land for their properties. Some stories suggest that the foreman, trusted by the landlords, had an established liaison with the Russian Tsar, with whose assistance the Russian soldiers in active duty were assigned to the task.

After the completion of the canal, Lake Engure water level dropped by 1,5 – 2 metres, freeing up a lot of land. The government of Russia’s Tsar allocated the land to the Latvian farmers that converted to the Orthodox Church. Consecutively, an Orthodox Church was built in Kuli, and Orthodox congregations were formed. The church still exists today. A section of the new Mersrags cemetery is the Orthodox cemetery ground.

Mersrags Canal connects Lake Engure with the sea, and the Mersrags port is situated by its outlet.

Mersrags Canal is a favoured location of many fishermen. One-day fishing permits can be purchased on the Mersrags channel at www.e-pakalpojumi.lv, section “Fishing”, or in Mersrags information centre.
www.mersrags.lv