Lake Milh

Coordinates: 32°45′09″N 43°38′06″E / 32.75250°N 43.63500°E / 32.75250; 43.63500
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Lake Milh
Primary inflows
Canal from Lake Habbaniyah, ultimately the Euphrates
Primary outflowsEuphrates River
Basin countriesIraq
Surface area1,562.34 km2 (603.22 sq mi)

Lake Milh (

Euphrates River, is diverted through a controlled escape channel or canal. The lake is listed as a wetland of international importance.[1] The lake is rather shallow and the water level changes seasonally. Due to its salt content and changing water level, this largest freshwater[contradictory] lake in Iraq has lost its important stock of fish species and only a few recreational areas exist around the lake.[1][2]

Geography

World Wind

The lake, also termed the Karbala Gap,

semi-desert. Mud flats are a common feature in the lake.[1]

The geological formations in and around the lake consist of marl, siltstone, gypsum and anhydrite, and limestone bands, but mostly silt.[1]

The lake is 95 kilometres (59 mi) south-west of Baghdad,[1] and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of Karbala in Karbala Governorate.[4]

History

The lake was constructed during the latter half of the 1970s, downstream of the

Euphrates River.[1]

Features

The lake is fed from the excess floodwater diverted from the Majora escape of Lake Habbaniyah.

USGS study of satellite imagery of the area it is noted that the water level of the lake fluctuates with the seasons, and in 1995, 2003, and 2013 the area of the lake was reduced considerably.[6] The local people said that the lake's depth has been reduced to about 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) since 1993, during the regime of Saddam Hussein. The reason for this reduction is mainly due to inadequate diversion of water from Lake Habbaniyah, where the priority of use is irrigation.[1] Diversion has been limited to once every 15 days only. This has also affected fishing operations in the lake which used to be throughout the year. As a result, the only fish species surviving in the lake is reported to be al-Shanik[2] or Shanak (Acanthopagrus arabicus) of marine origin, stocked in the lake by the government.[1] During the Gulf War the area was a military establishment.[2]

Vegetation

The vegetation around the periphery of the lake consists of

Salicornia herbacea, and Schoenoplectus litoralis. Also reported are shrublands made up of the desert species Haloxylon salicornicum, Nitraria retusa, Prosopis farcta, Tamarix aucherana, Tamarix macrocarpa, and Zygophyllum fabago.[1]

Fauna

The lake area has a large number of wintering

Fulica atra. According to a survey 42 bird species have been recorded.[1]

The mammal species reported are the Rüppell's fox (Vulpes rueppellii), golden jackal (Canis aureus), Indian grey mongoose (Urva edwardsii), jungle cat (Felis chaus), and European wildcat (Felis silvestris).[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Razzaza Lake (Bahr Al Milh)". Birdlife International. Archived from the original on 2014-10-29. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Iraq: Livelihoods at risk as level of Lake Razaza falls". IRIN News. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  3. ISBN 978-0-13-142397-8
    .
  4. ^ Scott 1995, p. 225.
  5. ^ a b Division 2014, p. 29.
  6. ^ "Bahr al Milh". USGS: Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. Retrieved 25 November 2015.

Bibliography

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Milh&oldid=1188620769"