Lake Urmia: Middle East's Largest Lake Shrinks Into Salt Flat Following Droughts, Agriculture

After a series of droughts, Lake Urmia, the largest lake in the Middle East, was reduced to a salt flat while still providing irrigation for the nearby settlements.

Lake Urmia: The Largest Lake in the Middle East Dries Out

Lake Urmia in northwest Iran virtually dried up in the fall of 2023 after expanding dramatically in volume only a handful of years before.

Lake Urmia, once the largest lake in the Middle East and considered to be one of the largest hypersaline lakes on Earth, has largely turned into a wide, dry salt flat.

The dried lakebed was photographed from Landsat 9's OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on September 7. It contrasts with the image taken three years earlier on September 8, 2020, by Landsat 8's OLI (Operational Land Imager), when water occupied the majority of the basin and salt deposits were only seen around the lake's border.

Following an extended period of above-average precipitation, the basin experienced a freshwater surge that increased its watery footprint. Since then, levels have decreased again due to drier weather.

Effects of Cycle of Depletion and Replenishing

Urmia has experienced a longer-term tendency toward dryness.

Lake Urmia's high water mark was in 1995; over the next 20 years, the lake level plummeted by more than 23 feet and lost over 90% of its area. The loss has been brought on by repeated droughts, agricultural water consumption, and the building of dams on the rivers that feed the lake.

A decrease in Lake Urmia has effects on the environment and people's health.

The lake, its islands, and the nearby marshes are recognized as a national park, a Ramsar site, and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve because they include vital habitats. The region serves as a stopover for migratory species as well as a breeding place for waterbirds, including white pelicans, flamingos, and white-headed ducks.

Low lake levels, however, stress brine shrimp populations and other sources of food for larger animals because the remaining water becomes more salinized.

A diminishing lake also raises the chance that winds will pick up dust from the exposed lakebed, lowering the quality of the air.

In addition to examining the relationship between fluctuations in the water level of the hypersaline Lake Urmia and the incidence of hypertension and the overall state of health of individuals living in Shabestar County north of the lake, recent studies have linked low water levels in Lake Urmia to respiratory health impacts.

Caused by Climate or Human Consumption?

It is still up for question how much of an impact climate, water use, and dams have on Lake Urmia's water level.

In the course of a 10-year restoration initiative that started in 2013, the lake did experience some recovery. This included dredging less, using less water in agriculture, and hosting sociocultural events to raise public awareness of Lake Urmia's state.

Since there were also heavy downpours throughout that time, it has been challenging to assess the effectiveness of that effort.

According to some studies, the recovery was mostly caused by meteorological causes.