Lake Turna

Lake Turna
Lake Turna
Locationİpekyolu, Van Province
Coordinates38°28′09″N 43°36′20″E / 38.46929°N 43.6055°E / 38.46929; 43.6055
Lake typeReservoir
Basin countriesTurkey
Surface area7 square kilometres (2.7 sq mi)
Surface elevation2.547 m (8 ft 4.3 in)

Lake Turna (Turkish: Turna Gölü) is an artificial lake in the İpekyolu district of Van province. It is located at the eastern foot of Erek mountain.[1]

History

The lake was constructed by the Urartians during the reign of king Rusa II (685-645 BC). For that, a small river was blocked with two dams to create the reservoir which served to ensure a constant water supply for the capital Tushpa and irrigate the surrounding Van plan throughout constructed water channels.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ "Erek dağı ve Turna gölü(PDF)" (PDF) (in Turkish). dergipark.org.tr. October 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Çevreci barajlara geçmişten bir örnek: Turna(Keşiş) Gölü(PDF)" (in Turkish). dergipark.org.tr. September 14, 2011.
  3. ^ Altuntas, Leman (13 July 2023). "The 2800-year-old Urartians Lake, which is an engineering masterpiece of its time, is drying". Arkeonews.