Lake Akdoğan

Lake Akdoğan, also called Lake Hamurpert, is the name of two neighbouring Crater lakes on the Akdoğan Mountains in Turkey. They are separated by a land strip of about 210 m. They are both high-altitude lakes located in Varto district of Muş Province.

History
The word Xamurpert means 'Dried castle' in Armenian. According to Gukas Inchichyan, it is said that a bey (melik) dynasty of Sasun origin ruled in the Xamurpert or Xamlpert castle in these mountains until the 1760s.

Geology and geomorphology
As a result of the volcanic eruptions in the Akdoğan Mountains. Akdoğan crater lakes were formed. The complete melting of the snow around the lakes takes place at the end of May. With the arrival of May, the habitats around the lakes have been revived.

Bigger lake
Lake Akdoğan (Akdoğan Gölü) is at 39.13944°N, 41.74139°W. Its elevation with respect to sea level is 2149 m and its maximum depth is 21 m. Its surface area is about 11 km2 The snow from Akdoğan mountains  feeds it, and the excess water pours into İskender creek. Big Akdoğan is 3,971 meters wide and 6,185 meters long.

Smaller lake
Lake Small Akdoğan (Küçük Akdoğan Gölü) is at 39.10972°N, 41.75556°W. Its elevation with respect to sea level is 2173 m and its maximum depth is 47 m. Its surface area is 1.54 km2. It feeds the main lake through an underground creek. Small Akdoğan is 2,243 meters long and 964 meters wide.

Flora
The main plant species in the Akdoğan Lakes are toxic Ferula and non-toxic Ferula, Rheum ribes, Gundelia, Sorrel, Arum maculatum, Eremurus spectabilis, Diplotaenia cachrydifolia Boiss, Chaerophyllum macrospermum, Thymus (plant), Paeonia turcica, Astragalus kurdicus and Euphorbia sp. In addition, there are Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae mushrooms in every part of the Lakes. Frangula alnus and Prunus cerasifera are located on the humid shores of the lake. Oak tree, Crataegus monogyna, Malus sylvestris, Prunus mahaleb, Rosa canina and Cotoneaster nummularius are other trees around the lake.

Fauna
The main fish in the lake is the common carp. The primary birds living on the lake are ducks, geese, and cranes. There are also many Bears around the lake. Other animals in the region are Wolf, Fox, Pig, Partridge, Lynx, Turtle, Williams's jerboa, Caspian turtle and European green lizard.