Mogan (lake)

Mogan Lake View

The area of ​​the lake is 5.61 km², the height above sea level is 968 meters ^[1] , the length of the lake is 5.5 km, the average width is 500 m, the length of the coastline is 14 km. The average depth is 2.80 m, but during the rainy season the average depth can increase to 5 meters. The maximum depth in times of drought is 4.5 meters. The volume of the lake is 13.34 million cubic meters. The water is a little brackish.

The lake is located near Ankara on the Anatolian plateau , has an elongated shape and is surrounded by steppe mountains and plains. It was formed as a result of damming the alluvial sediments flowing in the Ingesu River Valley, brought into the river by one of its tributaries. The shores of the lake in the northern, eastern and southeastern parts are steeper, in the southern, western, and south-eastern parts the most even. The bottom of the lake is silty, without hollows, almost 80% of the bottom is covered by underwater plants.

Lake Mogan feeds many streams , among them the most significant can be called Bashpynar, Yavrudzhak and Chelova, which flow into the lake in the south, forming wetlands ; Gölcuk and Tatlym in the west, as well as Sukesen, which flows into the lake in its eastern part. Some streams that feed the lake originate from the Kyzylirmak and Sakarya rivers. At the same time, many streams dry up in the summer, as a result of which during this period the water level in the lake decreases.

The climate is continental - summers are hot and arid, winters are cold. In winter, the lake freezes, while salt appears near the shore. A large area along the shores of the lake is occupied by reeds , reeds and sedge . In the south of the lake there are swamps Chökek and Gölcuk.

3 km in the northeast is Lake Amir , which is fed from Lake Mogan and connected to it through a channel passing under the Ankara-Konya motorway (D750). The common basin of Lake Mogan, together with Lake Amir, represents a single ecosystem. The total pool area is 971 km² ^[3]

Flora and fauna

Mogan Lake, located in a valley and surrounded by steppe mountains, has an impact on the formation of microclimate and stabilization of Ankara’s climate. Despite its location in the steppe zone, the lake is rich in microorganisms, has diverse flora and fauna, and also serves as a nesting site for many species of birds throughout the year, among which are included in the International Red Book . The lake is protected as a special natural area, and can simultaneously accept more than 20 thousand birds.

In 2001, a recreational area was created on the western shore of the lake, covering an area of ​​601.878 m², of which 203.650 m² was allocated to the “Natural Park” ( tour. Doğa Parkı ) for migratory and nesting birds. According to the criteria of the international organization for the protection of birds and the preservation of their habitat BirdLife International , Lake Mogan is one of 184 key ornithological territories in Turkey. At different times of the year, the lake is the habitat of 277 bird species, among which 40 species nest, and 30 species are observed all year. Other bird species are found only during migration. Among them, there are species listed in the International Red Book - this is a white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), a white-eyed duck (Aythya nyroca) and the steppe kestrel (Falco naumanni). ^[four]

The fauna consists of the Near Asian gerbils, the Transcaucasian hamster ( Mesocricetus brandthi ), ground squirrels, etc.

The lake is also rich in microorganisms and aquatic plants, sedge and reeds grow along the banks. Also, Lake Mogan is interesting in that an endemic flower - Centaurea tchihatcheffii cornflower - grows on its shores and in the vicinity of the Golbashi region.

Sports and Tourism

The lake is one of Ankara 's most favorite places for picnic and relaxation. There are two parks on the recreational territory ( tour Mogan Park and Atatürk Sahil Parkı ), which include walking paths, a children's park, sports grounds, marinas, restaurants, picnic areas, an equestrian arena, as well as venues for sports, cultural and entertainment events . Concerts and performances are held on the shore of the lake, a wedding salon, an amphitheater were founded, and a sea lighthouse was built for panoramic views. Fishing is very popular - a lot of fish live in the lake, including carp , tench , trout , perch , silverfish and pike . Crayfish are also found.

Water sports such as kayaking and canoeing are actively developing on Lake Mogan. In the 1960s, the Rowing Club of Ankara University was founded on the shores of Lake Mogan. Currently, there is a 2-kilometer distance for competitions in both rowing and sailing sports. Recently, sport fishing has been developing on the lake.

Mogan Lake is subject to industrial and urban pollution. Due to the pollution of the Kyzylirmak River in 2008, its waters got into Lake Mogan, which caused the death of many fish - common carp and silverfish (Atherina). In 2012, again, as a result of pollution of some of the rivers feeding the lake, a large number of fish were washed ashore. The cause of the incident has not been clarified. ^[five]

• Lake Mogan - Conflicts among the stakeholders of Lake Mogan Special Protection Area during the conservation
• Barbaros, F., inketinkaya, CP, Harncıoğlu, N. Effects of Human Activities on Water Quality: A Case Study - Mogan and Eymir Basin

• The official site of the Golbashi district (tour.)
• Ankara official website (tour.)