One morning workers arrived at the quarry and found it flooded.
Overnight or within a few hours the quarry had filled with water. Excavators and tractors were left on the floor — or were eventually raised, depending on who tells the story.
This, according to legend, is how Radon Lake appeared.
The water here contains radon — an inert radioactive gas. Colourless, odourless. Whether to swim or not is your decision.
General Information
| What? | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Radon Lake (Mihiia Quarry) |
| Address | village of Myhiia, Pervomaiskyi district, Mykolaivska oblast |
| Distance from Pervomaisk | ~6 miles (~10 km) |
| Type | flooded granite quarry |
| Depth | 131 ft (40 m) official |
| Distinctive feature | radon content in the water |
| National Park | Buzky Gard (6,138+ ha) |
Radon: What It Is and Whether It Is Dangerous
Radon (Rn) — a colourless, inert gas with no smell or taste. A decay product of radium, which is found in granite.
Radon baths are traditionally used in medicine (sanatoria) — small doses are said to have a therapeutic effect: improving circulation, reducing inflammation.
But bathing in an open reservoir with unknown radon concentration is each person’s own responsibility. There are no official medical guidelines for this quarry.
Machinery on the Floor
One of the most vivid legends: when the quarry suddenly flooded, workers escaped but left the machinery behind. Excavators and tractors are said to still stand on the floor.
Other accounts say the machinery was eventually raised. Only diving can verify.
Buzky Gard: Rafting and Rapids Alongside
Radon Lake is part of the Hranitno-Stepove Pobuzhzhia Regional Landscape Park, part of Buzky Gard National Park (6,138+ ha).
Around the lake: rapids of the Southern Buh, rafting, canyon cliffs, 900+ plant species (26 listed in Ukraine’s Red Book).
Myhiia is one of Ukraine’s most popular rafting centres.
Practical Information
- Entry: free
- From Pervomaisk: ~6 miles (~10 km)
- Combine with: rafting on the Buh, Buzky Gard National Park
- Time on site: 2–4 hours
Conclusion
Workers arrived — the quarry was flooded. Machinery on the floor (possibly).
Water contains radon — “therapeutic” or risky: decide for yourself.
All around — rafting on Buh rapids and 900 plant species.
Myhiia turned an industrial pit into the tourist capital of Mykolaiv region.
