Golden Age Lake

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Golden Age Lake

| native_name ={{native name|tk|Altyn Asyr köli}}

| other_name = Karakum Lake

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| location = Turkmenistan

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| coordinates = {{coord|40|44|N|56|47|E|type:waterbody_source:kolossus-ruwiki|display=inline,title}}

| type = reservoir

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| pushpin_map = Turkmenistan

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| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the reservoir in Turkmenistan.

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Golden Age Lake, known as Altyn Asyr köli locally,[http://www.turkmenistan.ru/?page_id=3&lang_id=en&elem_id=15259&type=event&sort=date_desc President inaugurates Turkmen lake] alternatively as Karakum Lake, is a man-made lake under construction in the Karashor depression in the Karakum Desert of Turkmenistan.

Upon completion, the lake will span {{convert|770|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2|order=flip}} with a maximum depth of {{convert|230|ft|m|sigfig=2|order=flip}}, and hold more than 130 cubic kilometers (4600 billion cubic feet) of water. Filling the lake could take 15 years and cost up to $4.5 billion.[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jSh8Y_lzNfDVqEJknZE8b4-uqcIQD99FJJF81 Turkmenistan creates vast lake in the desert]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} According to government plans, it is intended to be filled by a {{convert|2,650|km|mi|adj=on|sp=us}} network of tributary canals. The 432-kilometre long Dashoguz Collector follows for about half its length the bed of the ancient Uzboy River. The Great Turkmen Collector starts in Lebap Province and is {{convert|720|km|mi|abbr=on}} long.[http://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/files/turkmenistan_lake.pdf A New Great Lake—or Dead Sea?] They are used for pumping run-off water from irrigated cotton fields[http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2009/world/turkmenistan-vows-to-water-its-desert-write-new-tale-of-glory/ Turkmenistan Vows to Water its Desert] towards the lake.

Benefits and criticism

According to the Turkmen government, Golden Age Lake will promote the conservation and sensible use of water resources, in addition to preventing damage to archaeological sites near agricultural fields. Further, it is believed the lake will attract migratory fowl, stimulate biodiversity, and make flowers and plants bloom in a country that is 80% desert.{{cite web |title=Turkmenistan tries to green its desert with vast manmade oasis |date=2009-07-17 |website=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722145414/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jul/17/turkmenistan-golden-age-lake |archive-date=2023-07-22 |url-status=live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/jul/17/turkmenistan-golden-age-lake}}

However, critics point out that much of the water pumped into the searing desert will evaporate, adding that it is likely to be contaminated with toxic pesticides and fertilisers. It is also feared that Turkmenistan may seek to siphon water from the Amu Darya, which runs along the country's northern border with Uzbekistan. That could trigger a dispute between the two countries and inflict further damage on the environment.

External References

{{cite book|url=https://www.kitaphana.net/book/142 |title=Altyn Asyr Türkmen Köli |publisher=Türkmen döwlet neşirýat gullugy|date= 2010 |place=Ashgabat |language=tk, ru, en}}

References

Category:Lakes of Turkmenistan

Category:Endorheic lakes of Asia