Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A nutrient-rich, stream-fed freshwater lake (max. 759 ha, max. depth 2.5 m) 20 km south of Ankara. Reedbeds (
Phragmites) fringe much of the lake shore, with marshland and wet meadows to the south. The town of Gölbaþý is situated on the north-east shore. Numerous holiday homes have been constructed overlooking the lake, which is also popular for rowing, sailing and angling.
Important site for breeding waterbirds, with large numbers of wildfowl occurring in late autumn and early spring (the lake freezes in winter).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Formerly the lake size varied between 500 and 1,020 ha˜as part of the Ankara flood-protection scheme a regulator was built, allowing a constant water-level to be maintained. The growth of Gölbaþý has resulted in increased disturbance and the release of industrial and untreated urban waste to the lake. Sewage-treatment plants and interceptors are now under construction.
National None
International High1,500 ha of IBA covered by Mediterranean Specially Protected Area (Mogan Gölü, 24,500 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mogan lake (Türkiye). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mogan-lake-iba-türkiye on 23/12/2024.
