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| {{Infobox lake | {{Infobox lake | ||
| | |
|name=Sawa Lake | ||
| |image=AlSawaLakeIraq.jpg | |||
| |image_lake=Sawa lake Iraq.jpg | |||
| |caption=Satellite images showing how the lake dried up in 5 years. | |||
| |caption_lake= | |||
| |image_bathymetry= | |image_bathymetry= | ||
| |caption_bathymetry= | |caption_bathymetry= | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
| |cities = | |cities = | ||
| |frozen = | |frozen = | ||
| <!-- Map --> | |||
| ⚫ | |reference = | ||
| | pushpin_map = Iraq | |||
| | pushpin_label_position = | |||
| | pushpin_map_alt = Location of Sawa Lake in Iraq | |||
| | pushpin_map_caption = | |||
| <!-- Below --> | |||
| | website = | |||
| ⚫ | | reference = | ||
| |embedded = {{Designation list | |||
| | embed = yes | |||
| | designation1 = Ramsar | |||
| | designation1_offname = Sawa Lake | |||
| | designation1_date = 3 March 2014 | |||
| | designation1_number = 2240<ref name="RSIS">{{Cite web|title=Sawa Lake|website=] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/2240|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>}} | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{Location map|Iraq|label= | |||
| |marksize=6|mark=Red_pog.svg | |||
| |lat_dir=N |lat_deg=31|lat_min=18|lat_sec=46.3 | |||
| |lon_dir=E|lon_deg=44|lon_min=57|lon_sec=36.6 | |||
| |position=right|width=230|float=right | |||
| |caption=Location of Sawa lake }} | |||
| '''Sawa |
'''Sawa Lake''' ({{langx|ar| بحيرة ساوة}}) is an ] located in the Iraqi governorate of ] near to the ] River, some {{convert|23|km|abbr=on}} to the west of ] city. This lake has no inlet or outlet, but it draws water from the Euphrates through a system of joint cracks and fissures which transport water to aquifers beneath it. | ||
| ==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| Lake Sawa is a unique body of water in Iraq since characterized by highest salinity value among Iraqi inland bodies water. The lake has longitudinal |
Lake Sawa is a unique body of water in Iraq since characterized by highest salinity value (up to 35 g/L as TDS)<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Boschetti|first=Tiziano|last2=Awadh|first2=Salih Muhammad|last3=Salvioli-Mariani|first3=Emma|date=2018|title=The Origin and MgCl2–NaCl Variations in an Athalassic Sag Pond: Insights from Chemical and Isotopic Data|journal=Aquatic Geochemistry|language=en|volume=24|issue=2|pages=137–162|doi=10.1007/s10498-018-9337-y|issn=1380-6165}}</ref> among Iraqi inland bodies water. Chemical and isotope analyses revealed its meteoric origin and a confirm a main feeding from the ascending groundwater from the lake bottom via joints, cracks, and fissure systems.<ref name=":1" /> The lake has longitudinal shape with 4.47 km, long and 1.77 km wide. The water level in the lake is one of the manifestations of the lake, which gives something of aesthetic and strangeness. Strangeness reflected the fact that the water level in the lake is higher than the adjacent land around the lake by 1–4 meters. Add to that, the water level of the lake is also higher than the water level of the Euphrates River by 5–7 meters which flow near the lake to the east side and the Shat Al-Arab and ] by 17–20 m.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltext&aId=110919|title =Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus.|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> A formations of gypsum are surrounding the lake, in some cases these a gypsum formations reach 6 m tall. They are formed due to evaporation of salty water and sedimentation of salt in shallow banks of lake.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltext&aId=86984|title = Iraqi Academic Scientific journal|date = |accessdate = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> A formations of gypsum works as a dam prevent water flow from the lake on surrounding areas. | ||
| ==Climate== | ==Climate== | ||
| Sawa |
Sawa Lake is characterized by arid climate. Highest and lowest temperatures are ranges between (27.6– 44.6) °C. Mean annual rainfall is 110 mm per year, highest values of evaporation occur during July (506 mm) while lowest values occurring in January (89 mm). Overall wind direction is a North-West with speed of 4.1 m/s. | ||
| <ref>Iraqi Meteorological Organization., 2012: Climate data of recorded in Al-Sammwa station |
<ref>Iraqi Meteorological Organization., 2012: Climate data of recorded in Al-Sammwa station for period from (1990-2011)</ref> | ||
| ==Flora and fauna== | ==Flora and fauna== | ||
| Because of its saline water, no plants grow in the lake or on its shores. ] and ] are the most important aquatic organisms. One kind of fish lives in Sawa |
Because of its saline water, no plants grow in the lake or on its shores. ] and ] are the most important aquatic organisms. One kind of fish lives in Sawa Lake, the ] of the genus '']'', ] family, characterized by its soft appearance, small size (they do not exceed 10 cm), and eyes that quickly disappear after death. Also there are '']'' which is ] and lives in brackish water from ] to recent times, particularly on the lake bottom. | ||
| Unlike |
Unlike its scarcity of aquatic organisms, Sawa Lake is rich with birds; 25 species of resident and immigrant birds were observed in Sawa Lake and the surrounding areas. the lake held large numbers of ], mainly ]s and ] (''Fulica atra''). The endemic race of ] (''Tachybaptus ruficollis iraquensis'') and the ] (''Corvus cornix capellanus'') occur, as well as the near-endemic ]. Locals and hunters reported the frequent occurrence of “different kinds of raptors” especially in spring and autumn, so the site may be important as a staging area. | ||
| The desert area on the western side of the lake, the fresh wetland strip (represented by the western branch of Euphrates River including the orchards), and the flat arid/semi-desert areas over the southern parts of the lake might harbor considerable wildlife diversity, |
The desert area on the western side of the lake, the fresh wetland strip (represented by the western branch of Euphrates River including the orchards), and the flat arid/semi-desert areas over the southern parts of the lake might harbor considerable wildlife diversity, mammals present include ], ] (near-threatened), ], and ] (''Urva edwardsii''). Reptiles found included: Water snake (maybe ''Natrix tessellata'').<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.natureiraq.org/uploads/9/2/7/0/9270858/sawa_lake_mt1_22_mar-anna.pdf|title = Sawa Lake and the surrounding area (MT1)|date = |access-date = |website = |publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref> | ||
| ==Environmental |
==Environmental concerns== | ||
| As Sawa Lake represents a unique, closed water body in Iraq it is an important site to protect for its scientific, educational and biodiversity value. Only human intrusion was considered a high threat because Sawa Lake is the only water body available for the city of Samawa and its surroundings. It is a popular picnic area but this has caused a great deal of garbage accumulation everywhere around the lake. There appears to be no effort by visitors or government to manage or remove garbage from the site. Because there is no plant cover on the lake (reed beds, etc.), water birds have few places to shelter from visitors or hunters. Three threats were classified as ‘high’: urban expansion (the team was informed that the lake area was submitted for an investment project which might involve new construction around the lake); hunting, primarily represented by fishing (mainly netting) and hunting of birds, and pollution caused by the frequent visitors. Other threats (agriculture, resource extraction, transportation and service corridors, and natural systems modification) were considered ‘low’.<ref name=":0" /> The lake has been designated as a protected ] since 2014.<ref name="RSIS"/> | |||
| water birds have few places to shelter from visitors or hunters. Three threats were classified as ‘high’:urban expansion (the team was informed that the lake are was submitted for an investment project which might involve new construction around the lake); hunting, primarily represented by fishing (mainly netting) and hunting of birds, and pollution caused by the frequent visitors. Other threats (agriculture, resource extraction, transportation & service corridors, and natural systems modification) were considered ‘low’.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| == Drying of lake == | |||
| Since 2014, the five-square-kilometer (two-square-mile) lake has been drying up.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-04-27 |title=Overuse and climate change kill off Iraq’s Sawa Lake |url=https://arab.news/2296h |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="weather"/> The lake also used to be a stopover for ].<ref name=":2" /> In April 2022, the lake has completely dried up for the first time in thousands of years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=Historic Sawa Lake disappears from Iraqi map |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/04/historic-sawa-lake-disappears-iraqi-map |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Al-Monitor |language=en}}</ref><ref name="weather">{{cite web |url=https://weather.com/photos/news/2022-04-28-lake-sawa-climate-change |title=Climate Change Has Decimated this Once Popular Iraq Lake (PHOTOS) |website=weather.com |date=28 April 2022 }}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
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| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| {{portal bar|Iraq}} | {{portal bar|Iraq}} | ||
| Line 64: | Line 73: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:18, 5 November 2024
Endorheic basin in Muthanna Governorate, Iraq| Sawa Lake | |
|---|---|
 Satellite images showing how the lake dried up in 5 years. | |
  Sawa Lake | |
| Location | Muthanna Governorate, Iraq |
| Coordinates | 31°18′46.3″N 44°57′36.6″E / 31.312861°N 44.960167°E / 31.312861; 44.960167 |
| Lake type | Endorheic basin |
| Max. length | 4.74 km (2.95 mi) |
| Max. width | 1.77 km (1.10 mi) |
| Surface area | 12.5 km (4.8 sq mi) |
| Ramsar Wetland | |
| Official name | Sawa Lake |
| Designated | 3 March 2014 |
| Reference no. | 2240 |
Sawa Lake (Arabic: بحيرة ساوة) is an endorheic basin located in the Iraqi governorate of Muthanna near to the Euphrates River, some 23 km (14 mi) to the west of Al-Samawa city. This lake has no inlet or outlet, but it draws water from the Euphrates through a system of joint cracks and fissures which transport water to aquifers beneath it.
Description
Lake Sawa is a unique body of water in Iraq since characterized by highest salinity value (up to 35 g/L as TDS) among Iraqi inland bodies water. Chemical and isotope analyses revealed its meteoric origin and a confirm a main feeding from the ascending groundwater from the lake bottom via joints, cracks, and fissure systems. The lake has longitudinal shape with 4.47 km, long and 1.77 km wide. The water level in the lake is one of the manifestations of the lake, which gives something of aesthetic and strangeness. Strangeness reflected the fact that the water level in the lake is higher than the adjacent land around the lake by 1–4 meters. Add to that, the water level of the lake is also higher than the water level of the Euphrates River by 5–7 meters which flow near the lake to the east side and the Shat Al-Arab and Persian Gulf by 17–20 m. A formations of gypsum are surrounding the lake, in some cases these a gypsum formations reach 6 m tall. They are formed due to evaporation of salty water and sedimentation of salt in shallow banks of lake. A formations of gypsum works as a dam prevent water flow from the lake on surrounding areas.
Climate
Sawa Lake is characterized by arid climate. Highest and lowest temperatures are ranges between (27.6– 44.6) °C. Mean annual rainfall is 110 mm per year, highest values of evaporation occur during July (506 mm) while lowest values occurring in January (89 mm). Overall wind direction is a North-West with speed of 4.1 m/s.
Flora and fauna
Because of its saline water, no plants grow in the lake or on its shores. Fish and algae are the most important aquatic organisms. One kind of fish lives in Sawa Lake, the Arabian toothcarp of the genus Aphanius, Cyprinodontidatae family, characterized by its soft appearance, small size (they do not exceed 10 cm), and eyes that quickly disappear after death. Also there are Pomatiopsis tryon which is Gastropoda genus and lives in brackish water from Oligocene age to recent times, particularly on the lake bottom.
Unlike its scarcity of aquatic organisms, Sawa Lake is rich with birds; 25 species of resident and immigrant birds were observed in Sawa Lake and the surrounding areas. the lake held large numbers of waterfowl, mainly ducks and coot (Fulica atra). The endemic race of little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis iraquensis) and the Mesopotamian crow (Corvus cornix capellanus) occur, as well as the near-endemic grey hypocolius. Locals and hunters reported the frequent occurrence of “different kinds of raptors” especially in spring and autumn, so the site may be important as a staging area.
The desert area on the western side of the lake, the fresh wetland strip (represented by the western branch of Euphrates River including the orchards), and the flat arid/semi-desert areas over the southern parts of the lake might harbor considerable wildlife diversity, mammals present include Rüppell's fox, striped hyena (near-threatened), honey badger, and Indian gray mongoose (Urva edwardsii). Reptiles found included: Water snake (maybe Natrix tessellata).
Environmental concerns
As Sawa Lake represents a unique, closed water body in Iraq it is an important site to protect for its scientific, educational and biodiversity value. Only human intrusion was considered a high threat because Sawa Lake is the only water body available for the city of Samawa and its surroundings. It is a popular picnic area but this has caused a great deal of garbage accumulation everywhere around the lake. There appears to be no effort by visitors or government to manage or remove garbage from the site. Because there is no plant cover on the lake (reed beds, etc.), water birds have few places to shelter from visitors or hunters. Three threats were classified as ‘high’: urban expansion (the team was informed that the lake area was submitted for an investment project which might involve new construction around the lake); hunting, primarily represented by fishing (mainly netting) and hunting of birds, and pollution caused by the frequent visitors. Other threats (agriculture, resource extraction, transportation and service corridors, and natural systems modification) were considered ‘low’. The lake has been designated as a protected Ramsar site since 2014.
Drying of lake
Since 2014, the five-square-kilometer (two-square-mile) lake has been drying up. The lake also used to be a stopover for migratory birds. In April 2022, the lake has completely dried up for the first time in thousands of years.
References
- ^ "Sawa Lake". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ Boschetti, Tiziano; Awadh, Salih Muhammad; Salvioli-Mariani, Emma (2018). "The Origin and MgCl2–NaCl Variations in an Athalassic Sag Pond: Insights from Chemical and Isotopic Data". Aquatic Geochemistry. 24 (2): 137–162. doi:10.1007/s10498-018-9337-y. ISSN 1380-6165.
- "Bull. Iraq nat. Hist. Mus".
- "Iraqi Academic Scientific journal".
- Iraqi Meteorological Organization., 2012: Climate data of recorded in Al-Sammwa station for period from (1990-2011)
- ^ "Sawa Lake and the surrounding area (MT1)" (PDF).
- ^ "Overuse and climate change kill off Iraq's Sawa Lake". Arab News. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Climate Change Has Decimated this Once Popular Iraq Lake (PHOTOS)". weather.com. 28 April 2022.
- "Historic Sawa Lake disappears from Iraqi map". Al-Monitor. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
