Lake Balık

Lake Balık (Kurdish: Gola Masiyan‎, Turkish: Balık Gölü,) is a lava-dammed freshwater lake in Ağrı Province, eastern Turkey. "Balık" is the Turkish word for "fish". It is one of the country's lakes with the highest elevation.

Lake Balık Balık Gölü
Map of the lake
Lake Balık Balık Gölü Location of Lake Balık in Turkey.
Location	Taşlıçay-Doğubeyazıt, Ağrı Province, Turkey
Coordinates	39°45′N 43°34′E
Type	Lava-dammed freshwater lake
Primary outflows	Gürgüre Creek
Basin countries	Turkey
Surface area	34 km^2 (13 sq mi)
Max. depth	37 m (121 ft)
Surface elevation	2,250 m (7,380 ft)
Islands	1

Geography

The lake is situated on the district border of Taşlıçay and Doğubeyazıt in Ağrı Province. The west shore of the lake lies in Taşlıçay and the east shore in Doğubeyazıt. Its distance to Taşlıçay town is 26 km (16 mi) while to Doğubeyazıt town is 60 km (37 mi). It is 60 km (37 mi) far from Ağrı. Formed by a lava dam, the geology and geomorphology of the lake features characteristics of ophiolite and sedimentary rocks. It is situated in Aras Mountains at an elevation of about 2,250 m (7,380 ft) with respect to main sea level, making it one of the highest lakes in Turkey. The average area of its surface is 34 km² (13 sq mi). The maximum depth is 37 metres (121 ft).[1][2] The lake is fed by a number of creeks from the surrounding mountains and groundwater, and in turn it feeds Gürgüre Creek to the southeast.[3] The lake lies in an area with continental climate. Winters are harsh, and the seasons of spring and fall are short. Precipitation is mostly in the form of snow rather than of rain.[1] In the wintertime, the lake freezes and is covered with ice of thickness up to 20 cm (7.9 in).[3]

Biota

Particularly the southeast of the wetland is covered with reeds. There are agricultural land and meadows in close surroundings of the lake. The fauna of the lake is composed of diverse bird species. An island of size 0.15 ha (0.37 acres) in the lake is the nesting area of velvet duck. The lake is so a waterfowl habitat of national importance, however, not under protection. The trout in the lake is consumed as a food and also as a medicine. Observed wildlife in the area around the lake are the bird species eagle, hawk, partridge, wild duck, seagull, quail, woodcock and the mammals hare, fox, wolf.[1]

References

1. "Erzurum – Balık Gölü" (in Turkish). Orman ve Su İşleri Bakanlığı. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
2. Tıldız, Hüzeyin & Orhan Güngör (2014-12-02). "Balık Gölü'nün derinliklerinde keşif". Hürriyet (in Turkish). Retrieved 2017-01-21.
3. "Balık Gölü" (in Turkish). Doğubayazıt Ticaret ve Sanayi Odası. Archived from the original on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-21.