--- title: Otlukbeli Lake slug: otlukbeli-lake url: /detay/otlukbeli-lake type: article language: English entity: primary: Otlukbeli Lake type: article disambiguation: Discover Otlukbeli Lake, a unique travertine barrier lake in Turkey! A geological wonder. categories: - name: Geography slug: cografya-2 url: /kategori/cografya-2 tags: - natural beauties - Natural Monument - Mineral Waters - Geological Formation - Travertine Barrier - Otlukbeli Lake - Erzincan - Türkiye author: Edanur Karakoç created_at: 2025-02-27T14:03:09.616964+03:00 updated_at: 2025-04-17T11:39:39.985495+03:00 --- # Otlukbeli Lake ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Otlukbeli Lake ![1200x675-otlukbeli-golu-dunya-capinda-essiz-bir-gol-1727244499605.webp](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/02/27/P3EgGFzzQbvUQJlsmRFvSGfIQOzblu9J.webp) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Length(s)(Text) | 150-160 meters | | Depth(s)(Text) | 15-20 meters | | Width(Text) | 30-50 meters | | Lake Type | Travertine barrier lake | | Surface Area | 6,500-7,500 m² | | Elevation(s)(Text) | 885 meters,855-1,1 | | Location | Otlukbeli,Türkiye,Erzincan | ## Article Content [Otlukbeli Lake](/en/detay/otlukbeli-golu-2/llms.txt) is a [lake](/en/detay/how-does-a-lake-form-22d73/llms.txt) located in the Otlukbeli district of [Erzincan](/en/detay/erzurum-province-e5e63/llms.txt), [Türkiye](/en/detay/turkiye-cografyasi-2/llms.txt), formed by a [travertine](/en/detay/denizli-travertine-90159/llms.txt) barrier created by mineral waters. The lake [has](/en/detay/has-3/llms.txt) a surface area of approximately 7,500 square meters, a length of 150-160 meters, a width of 30-50 meters, and a depth ranging between 15-20 meters. Situated [at](/en/detay/at-3/llms.txt) [an](/en/detay/an-2/llms.txt) altitude of 1,855-1,885 meters above sea level, it is recognized as the only known travertine barrier lake in the world. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/02/27/1U0mo0UVTNbRJKJDs5j1wGrkb6MlXKIv.jpeg) *(Otlukbeli Lake - Anadolu Agency)* ### **Formation and Geological Structure** Otlukbeli Lake is a unique geological formation. Unlike other barrier lakes, its formation is not due to karstic processes, but rather the precipitation of minerals from underground waters. The accumulation of calcium, magnesium, and iron-rich mineral waters has created a natural travertine barrier, allowing water to collect and form the lake. This geological structure introduced a previously unidentified lake type to the scientific community. In 1990, the lake was studied by Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Akkan and Prof. Dr. Metin Tuncel from [Ankara](/en/detay/ankara-2/llms.txt) University, Faculty of Language, History, and Geography, who determined that it held a unique geological status. Research confirmed that no other lake of this type exists in the world. In 1994, the [Erzurum](/en/detay/erzurum-2/llms.txt) Cultural and Natural Heritage Conservation Board designated the lake as a Natural Site and granted it Natural Monument status. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/02/27/uNkQPOQOr9eOzKzC3AFujNstTASQA2Oq.jpeg) *(Otlukbeli Lake - MK Production)* ### **Physical and Chemical Properties** Otlukbeli Lake is fed by mineral springs, sulfur-rich sources, and small streams. Its water composition contains bicarbonate, sulfate, and chloride anions, along with calcium, magnesium, and iron cations. Due to the ongoing sedimentation process, the lake exhibits a [dynamic](/en/detay/dynamic/llms.txt) nature. Intense sedimentation and deposition are observed in the lake [basin](/en/detay/basin-2/llms.txt). Particularly on the western shore, sedimentary accumulations have formed a [delta](/en/detay/delta-2/llms.txt), leading to a reduction in lake size. As a result of terrestrial influences, the lake's shores are gradually shrinking. ### **Location and Climate Characteristics** The lake is located approximately 6 kilometers from the Otlukbeli district center and sits along a branch of Sazlar Creek. On 1/100,000-scale maps, it appears only as a small water body, while 1/25,000-scale maps do not include its name. The region experiences a continental climate, characterized by harsh winters. Snowfall begins in [November](/en/detay/november/llms.txt) and continues until [April](/en/detay/april-748391/llms.txt), with temperatures dropping significantly in winter months. The best time to visit the lake is from [May](/en/detay/may-748395/llms.txt) to [September](/en/detay/september-748435/llms.txt). ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/02/27/N1KTiMCdK7uudZmBtT6A6xge6k6eGFub.jpeg) *(Otlukbeli Lake - Erzincan Municipality Official Website)* ### **Conservation Status** Since 1994, Otlukbeli Lake has been under protection as a Natural Site. The Erzincan Governorship and Otlukbeli District Governorship have been developing various projects to promote tourism while ensuring the conservation of its geological structure and the sustainability of tourism opportunities. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. "Dünyadaki Tek Traverten Set Gölü: Otlukbeli." Anadolu Ajansı, accessed February 25, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/pg/foto-galeri/dunyadaki-tek-traverten-set-golu-otlukbeli/0 2. Ankara Üniversitesi, TUCAV. "Otlukbeli Gölü’nün Jeolojik Yapısı." Ankara Üniversitesi Türkiye Coğrafyası Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi (TUCAUM), accessed February 25, 2025. https://tucaum.ankara.edu.tr/wp-content/uploads/sites/280/2015/08/cadata2\_4.pdf 3. Erzincan Belediyesi. "Otlukbeli Gölü." Erzincan Belediyesi Resmi Web Sitesi, accessed February 25, 2025. https://erzincan.bel.tr/tarihi-merkez/otlukbeli-golu/4 4. Otlukbeli Kaymakamlığı. "Otlukbeli Gölü." Otlukbeli Kaymakamlığı Resmi Web Sitesi, accessed February 25, 2025. http://otlukbeli.gov.tr/otlukbeligolu2#:\~:text=Olu%C5%9Fum%20bak%C4%B1m%C4%B1ndan%20karst%20kaynaklar%C4%B1n%C4%B1n%20de%C4%9Fil,%E2%80%9Cdo%C4%9Fal%20an%C4%B1t%E2%80%9D%20olarak%20nitelendirilmi%C5%9F