Lake Urmia, located in West Azerbaijan, Iran, is the largest lake in the Middle East and the second-largest saltwater lake in the world. However, the lake is facing the imminent risk of drying up. Currently, 60% of its water has already evaporated, and experts warn that without urgent intervention, it could dry up completely within a few years.
In terms of salt reserves, Lake Urmia ranks second only to the Great Salt Lake in the United States. If the current rate of evaporation continues, the lake will no longer be considered a lake but will instead become a vast expanse of salty land.
The Urmia Environmental Protection Agency reports that 60% of the lake’s water has already evaporated, and the salt concentration has surpassed normal levels. This poses a serious threat to both the local ecosystem and the livelihood of the surrounding population. The shrinking lake has led to environmental degradation and affected local agriculture, which is a vital source of income for many.
The primary cause of the lake’s drying is the construction of numerous dams on the rivers feeding the lake. Additionally, the inflow of industrial waste into the lake further exacerbates the problem.
A 2008 study by the University of Urmia predicted that, within seven years, the lake would shrink to just a salty landmass of approximately 4,000 square kilometers. At that time, the lake covered around 5,200 square kilometers, holding 37 billion cubic meters of water. It stretches 135 kilometers in length and ranges between 18 and 55 kilometers in width, with a maximum depth of 16 meters.
Experts have been warning of a critical situation for over a decade. Over the last 15 years, the lake’s water level has been steadily declining, and the droughts of the past two years have exacerbated the environmental crisis in the region.
A Significant Mineral Reserve
In 1976, UNESCO designated the shores of Lake Urmia as a biosphere reserve. Beyond its natural beauty, the lake contains one of the largest mineral strata in the world, with over 8 billion cubic meters of mineral deposits.
By 2008, approximately 120,000 hectares of the lake's 520,000 hectares had dried up. Since 1995, the water level has dropped by 6 meters, and the situation has continued to worsen each year.
Flora and Fauna at Risk
As the water level decreases, the salt concentration in the lake has reached 330 grams per liter—higher than the Dead Sea, which has 275 grams per liter. This increasing salinity is not only threatening the lake’s flora and fauna but also endangering migratory bird species. The lake serves as a vital stopover for various migratory birds, including flamingos, pelicans, ibises, storks, avocets, and gulls. Additionally, the reproductive patterns of Artemia, a key species in the lake's ecosystem, have been disrupted. As a result, many species face the threat of extinction.
Agriculture and tourism in the region are also under threat. With parts of the lakebed now exposed, some ports are no longer operational, and hundreds of villages may be forced to evacuate.
A Clear Problem but No Solution
The causes of the lake's drying are well understood, but the government has yet to take effective action to address the crisis. Saving the lake will require national commitment and a coordinated effort to mitigate the environmental damage. However, as of now, the authorities continue to watch as Lake Urmia gradually disappears.