Volovo lake is a natural reservoir of karst origin. It is located in Volovsk area. The pond is located in a deep funnel-shaped hollow at Upland (Volovsky plateau), two kilometers east of the railway station, on a branch Necklace-Elec, in a small town of the ox. At the lake - oval shape, much of it silted up.

Volovo lake is an ancient source of the river Nepryadva, is a right tributary of the Don River. After much became shallow lake, a significant watercourse Nepryadva only begins in the village of Nikitskoe. Around the lake remained dry ovrazhistaya network upper river.

The first mention of oxen lake in written records date back to the second half of the 16th century. This is primarily due to the development of measures to strengthen the guard 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 Moscow in 1571. Attached efforts to improve border security have brought the desired result, in 1572. a new campaign of Khan finished his complete defeat at the Battle of the young. In Volova lake was eighth guard. On it were four guards who were guarding the area to the top Nepryadva.

According to the notes written another important source of the first half of the 17th century - the Book of large drawings lake in the heart of all known historic site - Kulikova field - wide steppe space, which stretches from the headwaters of the Oka River to the upper reaches of the Don and occupied the highest part of Upland.

This position is determined by a significant strategic importance Volovoi territory near to the lake, which is just west of the south to the Kulikov field, between the rivers of the Swords and Zushi, by major watersheds approached the main road from the Crimea - Muravskiy Way. Here it is divided into several branches. Steppe path trodden for centuries by nomads, in time of peace was used as a convenient way of underpasses. During the hostilities, they were allowed to move the cavalry with large carts.

Excellent review, opening from the heights of Kulikov field almost to the horizon, made it possible to observe Russian watchdog approach of the enemy advance and report to the surrounding forts and garrisons in jail, so they were prepared for an armed rebuff. After organizing the defense line of the Belgorod area at Volova lake it came in the second tier and became the northern boundary of the Belgorod discharge.