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Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
This site consists of a large freshwater lake reservoir created by the Mosul Dam southwest of Dohuk city. This earthen embankment dam was completed in 1984 but has been under constant repair as it is built upon gypsum, a material that dissolves in water. A US Army Corps of Engineers report (Paley, 2007) stated that due to the possibility of the foundation eroding, “Mosul Dam is the most dangerous dam in the world."
Due to security concerns, the survey focused on the eastern (Dohuk Governorate) side of the lake in a limited area.
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the 2007-2010 surveys, 87 species were observed. European Roller Coracias garrulus (Near Threatened) was breeding and Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (Vulnerable) occurred in winter, but at levels that did not meet IBA criteria. In winter the site held up to 2500 of the armenicus race of Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis.
Other Important Fauna: Data were only collected for fish in 2007 and 2008, when 14 species were reported. Significant species, according to Coad (2010), were: Acanthobrama marmid, Carassius auratus, Cyprinion kais, Cyprinion macrostomum, Cyprinus carpio, Heteropneustes fossilis, Liza abu, Luciobarbus esocinus, Luciobarbus xanthopterus, Silurus triostegus, and Tor grypus. Additionally three species have an unknown conservation status in Iraq: Alburnus caeruleus, Capoeta damascina, and Mastacembelus mastacembelus.
The area around the lake here consists of moist steppe habitat with approximately 50% non-vegetated (similar habitat is likely on the western side of the lake). The features of area were a gentle slope and sandy clay soils and the geology is a mix of siltstone and sandstone.
There is little human activity other than gravel mining, wheat and barley farming, and some net fishing on the lake. Access to the survey area was from a water station that serves Dohuk City.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The principal environmental threat is the status of the Mosul Dam itself, which is under constant maintenance. The proposed solution for the dam is both expensive and untried. Additional threats at this site were agriculture and livestock production/grazing, gravel mining, and fishing. All were assessed as high threats. In addition, road development and human disturbance due to boat, auto and tractor movement in the area were also considered high. Runoff from the surrounding lands also means that pollution due to the accumulation of trash and other pollutants is a problem as well.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mosul Lake (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mosul-lake-iba-iraq on 22/11/2024.
