This study presents the contribution of reclamation works to the disappearance of Lake Jelenino. On the basis of cartographic materials from the 19^th and 20^th centuries, as well as historical records, it was possible to establish that the lake of area 495.2 ha disappeared as a result of precise actions aimed at creating new settlements. Reclamation works proceeded in two stages. After the first stage, which took place in 1778-86, the area of Lake Jelenino was reduced by over 360 ha. In the 1970s the reservoir, whose area then amounted to 130 ha, was completely dried. Such a transformation of the natural environment was followed by social and economic changes – inhabitants of Jelenino village, who until then lived by fishing, in a short period of time retrained for agriculture and breeding.