Lake Akdoğan, also called Lake Hamurpert, is the name of two neighbouring Crater lakes on the Akdoğan Mountains in Turkey. They are separated by a land strip of about 210 metres (690 ft). They are both high-altitude lakes located in Varto district of Muş Province.[1]
History
The word Xamurpert means 'Dried castle' in Armenian. According to Gukas Inchichyan, it is said that a bey (melik) dynasty of Sasun origin ruled in the Xamurpert or Xamlpert castle in these mountains until the 1760s.[2]
Geology and geomorphology
As a result of the volcanic eruptions in the Akdoğan Mountains. Akdoğan crater lakes were formed. The complete melting of the snow around the lakes takes place at the end of May. With the arrival of May, the habitats around the lakes have been revived.[3]
Bigger lake
Lake Akdoğan (Turkish: Akdoğan Gölü) is at 39°8′22″N41°44′29″E / 39.13944°N 41.74139°E / 39.13944; 41.74139.[4] Its elevation with respect to sea level is 2,149 metres (7,051 ft) and its maximum depth is 21 metres (69 ft). Its surface area is about 11 square kilometres (4.2 sq mi)[5] The snow from Akdoğan mountains feeds it, and the excess water pours into İskender creek. Big Akdoğan is 3,971 meters wide and 6,185 meters long.
Smaller lake
Lake Small Akdoğan (Turkish: Küçük Akdoğan Gölü) is at 39°6′35″N41°45′20″E / 39.10972°N 41.75556°E / 39.10972; 41.75556. Its elevation with respect to sea level is 2,173 metres (7,129 ft) and its maximum depth is 47 metres (154 ft). Its surface area is 1.54 square kilometres (0.59 sq mi). It feeds the main lake through an underground creek.[5] Small Akdoğan is 2,243 meters long and 964 meters wide.