Atatürk Reservoir
The Atatürk Reservoir (Turkish: Atatürk Baraj Gölü) is a reservoir on the Euphrates, created by the Atatürk Dam in Turkey. It is located between Adıyaman, Şanlıurfa, and Diyarbakır provinces. The reservoir has a surface area of 817 km² and a volume of 48.5 cubic kilometers, making it the third largest lake in the country after Lake Van and Lake Tuz. It was formed between 1990–1992. The reservoir water level touched 535 m (1,755 ft) amsl in 1994. Since then, it varies between 526 and 537 m amsl. The full reservoir level is 542 m (1,778 ft), and the minimum operation level is 526 m (1,726 ft) amsl.
| Atatürk Reservoir | |
|---|---|
| Lake Atatürk Dam | |
August 2002 image of the reservoir, taken by Landsat 7 | |
Atatürk Reservoir | |
| Location | Adıyaman / Şanlıurfa / Diyarbakır provinces, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 37°35′29″N 38°37′15″E |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Euphrates |
| Primary outflows | Euphrates |
| Basin countries | Turkey |
| Max. length | 180 kilometres (110 mi) |
| Surface area | 817 km2 (202,000 acres) |
| Water volume | 48.5 km3 (39,300,000 acre⋅ft) |
| Surface elevation | 542 metres (1,778 ft) above sea level. |
Some 10 towns and 156 villages of three provinces are located around the Atatürk Reservoir. The reservoir has changed the climate and vegetation of the region. The lake provides a fisheries and recreation site. For transportation purposes, several ferries have been operated in the reservoir. The reservoir lake is called "sea" by local people.