The banks of Lake Peipus have smooth contours and form only one large bay – Raskopelsky Bay.
The low shores of the lake mostly consist of peat and are bordered by vast lowland and marshes, which are flooded in the spring with the flooding area reaching up to 1,000 km² (390 sq mi).
There are sand dunes and hills covered with pine forests.
Along the sandy shores, there is a 200–300 metres (660–980 ft) wide stretch of shallow waters.

The relief of the bottom is uniform and flat, gradually rising near the shores and covered with silt, and in some places with sand.
The deepest point of 15.3 metres (50 ft) is located in the Teploe Lake, 300 metres (980 ft) from the coast.

The lake is well-flowing, with the annual inflow of water equal to about half of the total water volume.

The lake water is fresh, with a low transparency of about 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) due to plankton and suspended sediments caused by the river flow.
Water currents are weak 5–9 cm/s (2.0–3.5 in/s); they are induced by the wind and stop when it ceases.
However, during the spring flood, there is a constant surface current from north to south.

Because of the shallow depth, the lake quickly warms and cools.
Water temperature reaches 25–26 °C (77–79 °F) in July.
The lakes freeze in late November – early December and thaw in late April – early May, first lakes Teploe and Pihkva and then lake Peipus.
However, due to recent climatic changes, Lake Peipus has now commonly started to freeze later into December and thaw much earlier in April.
The banks of Lake Peipus have smooth contours and form only one large bay – Raskopelsky Bay. The low shores of the lake mostly consist of peat and are bordered by vast lowland and marshes, which are flooded in the spring with the flooding area reaching up to 1,000 km² (390 sq mi). There are sand dunes and hills covered with pine forests. Along the sandy shores, there is a 200–300 metres (660–980 ft) wide stretch of shallow waters.
The relief of the bottom is uniform and flat, gradually rising near the shores and covered with silt, and in some places with sand. The deepest point of 15.3 metres (50 ft) is located in the Teploe Lake, 300 metres (980 ft) from the coast.
The lake is well-flowing, with the annual inflow of water equal to about half of the total water volume.
The lake water is fresh, with a low transparency of about 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) due to plankton and suspended sediments caused by the river flow. Water currents are weak 5–9 cm/s (2.0–3.5 in/s); they are induced by the wind and stop when it ceases. However, during the spring flood, there is a constant surface current from north to south.
Because of the shallow depth, the lake quickly warms and cools. Water temperature reaches 25–26 °C (77–79 °F) in July. The lakes freeze in late November – early December and thaw in late April – early May, first lakes Teploe and Pihkva and then lake Peipus. However, due to recent climatic changes, Lake Peipus has now commonly started to freeze later into December and thaw much earlier in April.
Lake Peipus