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Sevan
General Information
| Description |
Lake Sevan is the largest alpine high mountain freshwater lake in the Caucasus region and in Armenia Highland. Lake Sevan is a source of water for irrigation, hydropower, recreation, fish, migratory bird habitat and nursery zones for aquatic and amphibian species. |
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| Country |
Armenia
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| Latitude |
40° 17' 0"
(40.2833) |
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| Longitude |
45° 24'
0" (45.4000) |
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| State |
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| River Basin |
Kura-Araks
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Maps
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Sevan global index map (LakeNet Explorer)
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Sevan locator map |
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Lakes of Armenia |
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Lake Basin Management Initiative (LakeNet Explorer)
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USAID-supported Lake Basin Management and Biodiversity Conservation Technical Assistance 2003-2004 (LakeNet Explorer)
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Physical Characteristics
| Description |
Sevan's catchment basin spans an area one-sixth the size of all Armenia and is comprised of 28 small inflow creeks and rivers. Compared to the predisturbed state of Lake Sevan, volume, area and depth have all decreased. Prior to disturbance (1930s), Lake Sevan held 58.50 ckm, covered 1,416 sqm, and was on average 41 meters deep and 100 meters at its deepest point. |
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| Volume |
32.94 km3 |
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| Surface Area |
1,236.00 km2 |
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| Depth |
Mean depth: 27.0 m
Maximum depth: 80.0 m
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| Type |
Fresh
Permanent
Natural
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| Catchment |
Catchment size: 3,600.00
km2
Catchment/surface area ratio: 3:1 |
Socio-Political
| Economic Value |
Lake Sevan is a source of recreation, tourism, and irrigation for the agriculture sector that accounts for 33% of Armenia's GDP. 80% of the nation's valued crops are supported by irrigation. Furthermore, hydropower provides 8% of total energy production in the country. |
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| Primary Economic Sectors |
Agriculture - 33%
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| Major Cities |
Gavar City , the capital of Gegharquniq Marz, has 32,000 inhabitants. Other major cities are Sevan, Martuni and Vardenis. In Sevan, many people work in hotels and restaurants that are associated with lake tourism. |
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| Population |
275,000 (2001) |
Watershed Management
| Description |
The Lake Sevan Environmental Action Program aims to restore the lake in a sustainable manner that will enable tourism and recreation to continue to be promoted throughout the region. Other nation-wide projects include the Natural Resources Management and Poverty reduction for Armenia (World Bank) and the Program on Strengthening Water Management for Enhanced Environmental Quality (US AID). |
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| Watershed Action Plan |
In development |
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| Sub-basin Action Plan |
In development |
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| Issues |
Water drainage and irrigation for agriculture pose a major threat to the lake's health. Over 20,000 hectares of marshes and wetlands have already been drained and lake levels have dropped over 19 meters in forty years. Also problematic is pollution from municipal sewage, agricultural runoff and industry. |
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| Other Issues |
Invasive Species
Point source pollution
Polluted runoff
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| Specific Contaminants |
Pesticides
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| Monitoring |
Also monitored within the lake are fish and crayfish commercial stocks. |
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| Monitoring Programs |
In-Lake
Water Quality
Lake Use
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Biodiversity Conservation
| Description |
The Salmo ischchan, Barbus goktshaikus, and Varikorhinus capoeta fish species are endemic to Lake Sevan. Several fish species are severely threatened due to drying up of spawning grounds. The Lutra lutra otter that once depended on wetland habitat has gone extinct within recent decades. Lake Sevan is designated as a National Park. |
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| Designations |
National Designation
Ramsar Site
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| Ramsar Site Name |
Lake Sevan |
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| Ramsar Designations |
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
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| Species of Concern |
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Organizations
LakeNet Programs
Documents
Resources
News
Additional Data Sources
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Birkett, C., and I. Mason. 1995. A new global lakes database for remote sensing programme studying climatically sensitive large lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 21 (3) 307-318. |
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