Lake Dukan, Reservoir in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq

Lake Dukan is a reservoir in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Iraq. It is formed by the Dukan Dam on the Little Zab River and is the largest lake in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The Dukan Dam was built between 1954 and 1959 to provide water storage, irrigation, and hydroelectricity. Before the area was flooded, archaeologists excavated sites like Tell Bazmusian and Tell Shemshara, revealing ancient settlements.

Local fishermen sell fresh fish along the road, and their handwritten signs advertise 'Dukan fish'. The lake is a popular spot for picnics and family outings, with many Iraqis coming to enjoy the cooler air.

The lake lies about 100 kilometres from Kirkuk and 680 kilometres from Sulaymaniyah city centre. Resorts, cabins and restaurants cluster near the dam and along the shore. Spring snowmelt raises water levels, while summer and early autumn bring lower levels. The reservoir sits in the Zagros Mountains, so expect mountain roads.

From space, the lake looks like a Christmas tree, with a larger part resembling the tree body and a smaller part like a topper. The dark circles that appear as ornaments are actually artifacts from the astronaut's camera lens.