Volovoi the lake is a natural reservoir of karst origin. It is in Volovsky area. The pond is located in a deep funnel-shaped depression in the Central Russian upland (Volovsky plateau), two kilometers to the East of the railway station, on a branch Necklace-Elets, in the settlement of city type Volovoi. The lake is oval, much of it is silty.

Volovoi the lake is the ancient source of the river Nepryadva, which is right-hand tributaries of the don river. After the lake is strong let loose, visible stream of Nepryadva only starts near the village of Nikita. Near the lake remained dry waste watering, depend network upstream.

The first mention of Volovoi lake in written sources date from the second half of the 16th century. This primarily involves developing measures to strengthen the watchdog service on the southern border of the Russian state during the reign of Ivan the terrible after the burning of the Crimean Khan Devlet Giray of Moscow in 1571. Efforts to improve border security brought the desired result, in 1572. new trek Khan resulted in his defeat during the battle when Moladah. The oxen of the lake was the Eighth of the guard. By then there were four watchmen who were guarding the area to the top of the Nepryadva.

On other notes important written source of the first half of the 17th century – the book of the Big Drawing of the lake located in the center of all the famous historical object – the Kulikovo field – wide spaces of the steppe, which stretches from the upper reaches of the Oka river to the upper reaches of the don and occupied the highest part of the Central Russian upland.

This provision was determined significant strategic importance near Volov lake, which is just West from the South to the Kulikov field, from Mesopotamia Swords and Sushi, in major watersheds approached the main route from the Crimea – Murawski way. Here it was divided into several branches. Steppe way, hundreds of years beaten nomads, in time of peace was used as a convenient underpass road. During hostilities, they were given the opportunity to move the cavalry with large carts.

Excellent review, opening from the heights of Kulikovo field almost to the horizon, gave the chance to the Russian watchdog to observe the approach of the enemy in advance to inform the surrounding garrisons in the castles and fortresses, so they prepared for armed resistance. After the organization Belgorod defense line the area near the oxen lakes were ranked in the second tier and became the Northern border of Belgorod discharge.