Satpara Lake, Natural lake and reservoir in Skardu District, Pakistan.
Satpara Lake is a natural lake and reservoir in Skardu District, in northern Pakistan, sitting at around 8,500 feet (about 2,600 meters) above sea level in a mountain valley. A dam holds back the water at one end, and the lake serves both as a drinking water source and for generating electricity.
Satpara Lake existed as a natural mountain lake long before any construction took place. Between 2003 and 2011, a dam was built that raised the water level and gave the lake its current shape and size.
The name Satpara comes from Balti, a local language closely related to Tibetan. Fishermen from nearby villages have worked on the lake for generations, and fishing remains a common sight today.
The lake sits close to Skardu city and can be reached by a paved road that ordinary vehicles can handle. Weather in the mountains changes quickly, so bringing warm layers is a good idea even on a clear day.
A small island sits near the center of the lake, and its visible size changes with the water level throughout the seasons. It cannot be reached by any bridge, which makes it one of the few points on the lake that remains untouched.
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