Kow Ata
{{Short description|Lake in Turkmenistan}}
{{Orphan|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Kow Ata
| native_name = {{native name|tk|Köw Ata}}
| other_name = The Bakharlyn
| image = Коу-Ата.jpg
| alt =
| caption = The lake as seen in 2009
| location = Bäherden, Baherden District, Ahal Province
| coordinates = {{coord|38.2975|N|57.5222|E|region:ZZ_type:waterbody|display =inline,title}}
| type = Underground lake
| basin_countries = Turkmenistan
| length = {{convert|75-80|m|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|8-23|m|abbr=on}}
| depth = {{convert|10|m|abbr=on}}
| max-depth = {{convert|15|m|abbr=on}}
| temperature_high = {{convert|38|C|abbr=on}}
| temperature_low = {{convert|33|C|abbr=on}}
| pushpin_map = Turkmenistan
| mapframe = yes
| website =
| reference =
}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Kow Ata
| depth = {{conv|10|m}}
| length = {{conv|80|m}}
| width =
| type = Underground lake
| location = Turkmenistan
| image = Коу-Ата.jpg
| embedded = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=9 |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
}}
Kow Ata (also The Bakharlyn) is an underground lake in an eponymous cave near Bäherden in Turkmenistan, at the foot of the Kopet Dag.{{Cite web|date=2017-07-04|title=Золотой век|url=http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/?id=2629|access-date=2021-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704184636/http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/?id=2629|archive-date=2017-07-04}}{{Cite web|title=БАХАРДЕНСКАЯ ПЕЩЕРА • Большая российская энциклопедия - электронная версия|url=https://bigenc.ru/geography/text/1857293|access-date=2021-11-03|website=bigenc.ru|archive-date=2020-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926063022/https://bigenc.ru/geography/text/1857293|url-status=dead}} It is the largest in Commonwealth of Independent States.{{Cite web|date=2017-11-27|title=Подземное озеро Ков-Ата – чудо природы|url=http://cso-central.asia/podzemnoe-ozero-kov-ata-chudo-prirody/|access-date=2021-11-03|website=Партнерство для Инноваций|language=ru-RU}}
History
The landform was first documented by archaeologists in 1856. Coverage by the local press in 1896—noting the authorities of Bäherden rail-station to have had a wooden staircase installed for safe descent—led to tourists from Ashgabat flocking the site.
In 1960s, a road was constructed to the cave, electricity supplied, and hotels built in nearby areas.
Geology
= Cave =
= Lake =
The lake is at a depth of {{Convert|55|m|ft|abbr=on}} from the 3rd (by height) cave entrance;{{Efn|Staircases are only installed at this entrance.}} no sunlight reaches the cave.{{Cite book|last=Brummell|first=Paul|title=Turkmenistan|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|year=2005|isbn=978-1-84162-144-9|pages=116–117|language=en|author-link=Paul Brummell}}{{Cite web |last=orient.tm |title=Unique natural feature: underground lake Kow Ata |url=https://orient.tm/ru/post/23738/unikalnoe-tvorenie-prirody-skazochnaya-peshhera-kov-ata |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Kow Ata underground lake}} Length is reported to lie between {{Convert|75|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|80|m|ft|abbr=on}}; breadth varies, across the length, between {{Convert|8|m|ft|abbr=on}} and {{Convert|23|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Average depth is about {{Convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}; maximum depth is {{Convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|date=2016-03-12|title=Ков-ата - подземное, целебное озеро (+инфографика) • Alpagama|url=https://alpagama.org/kov-ata-podzemnoe-tselebnoe-ozero.html|access-date=2021-11-03|website=Alpagama|language=ru-RU}}
Limnology
The temperature of the lake remains roughly constant throughout the year, between {{Convert|33|C|F}} and {{Convert|38|C|F}}. The water has a high mineral content{{Efn|Turkmenistan Government claims the water to contain 38 elements including sulfur, iodine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfate, aluminum, bromine, iron, and antimony.}} and is especially rich in sulfur. The water is transparent with a shade of bluish green.
Flora and fauna
Tourism
Bathing is permitted in Kow Ata, making it a prominent weekend destination for residents of Ashgabat. A long-winding illuminated staircase leads to the cave.{{Cite web|last=turkmenportal|title=Подземное озеро Ков-Ата – чудо природы|url=https://turkmenportal.com/compositions/889|access-date=2021-11-03|website=Туркменистан, интернет портал о культурной, деловой и развлекательной жизни в Туркменистане|language=ru}} Changing cubicles and an observation platform are provided at about 80% length of the stair-route.{{Cite web|title=Kow Ata {{!}} Turkmenistan Travel Guide - Koryo Tours|url=https://koryogroup.com/blog/kow-ata-turkmenistan-travel-guide|access-date=2021-11-03|website=koryogroup.com|date=5 March 2020 |language=en}} There are no safety features except a tape warning swimmers to not proceed beyond.
= Healing =
Balneotherapy is practiced.
Notes
{{Notelist}}