Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A shallow nutrient-rich freshwater lake (average depth 3 m) fed by groundwater and four streams. Small deltas have formed where the latter enter the lake, comprising extensive marshes and tree-lined riverbanks. Narrow belts of reed
Phragmites fringe much of the lake. Water is abstracted for factory use and for irrigation. Cattle- and sheep-grazing is common along the lake shores.
This is an important site for breeding and wintering waterbirds; migrating
Pelecanus onocrotalus often roost at the lake.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Artificially high water-levels have resulted in the loss of feeding marshes. Nesting trees in the National Park have also begun to die as a result of prolonged inundation. Agricultural, industrial and household pollution enters the lake in large quantities. Due to over-fishing, disease, pollution and possibly the effects of the changing water regime, fish catches have declined drastically. Fish migration into the lake is now impossible following the construction of a regulator.
National High
International High64 ha of IBA covered by National Park (Ku° Gölü, 64 ha). 16,000 ha of IBA covered by Permanent Wildlife Reserve (Ku° Gölü, 23,667 ha). 100 ha of IBA covered by SÝT (Kuþ Gölü, 100 ha). 16,000 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Ku° Gölü, 16,000 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Manyas Lake (Kuş Lake) (Türkiye). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/manyas-lake-(kuş-lake)-iba-türkiye on 23/12/2024.
