Lake Arpi, lake in Shirak Province of Armenia
Lake Arpi is a large reservoir on the Ashotsk Plateau in northwestern Armenia. The water covers about 20 square kilometers and reaches an average depth of 11 meters, surrounded by green fields and small villages where different bird species inhabit the shores.
Originally the lake was much smaller and less than 2 meters deep. Between 1946 and 1951, it was transformed through the construction of dams and channels that more than quadrupled its size, turning it into a key water reservoir for the region.
Lake Arpi carries a name rooted in ancient times and has long been central to local communities. The villages along its shores such as Paghakn and Zorakert reflect a simple way of life where fishing, livestock herding, and farming shape daily rhythms and traditions.
You can reach the lake by road from nearby villages such as Ghazanchi or Amasia. Bring good shoes, binoculars, and a windbreaker, as the area is remote and conditions change with the seasons.
The lake is home to the world's largest colony of Armenian gulls and the only place in Armenia where Dalmatian pelicans breed. These large birds with curled neck feathers and bright orange pouches are listed in the Red Book as protected species.
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