Lake Qaraoun

Lake Qaraoun is an artificial lake or reservoir located in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley's southern section. It was built at Qaraoun village in 1959 by constructing a 61 m concrete-faced rockfill dam in the middle reaches of the Litani River (the largest dam in Lebanon) (longest river in Lebanon). The reservoir has been utilized to generate hydropower, provide domestic water, and irrigate 27,500 acres of land.

The lake is home to 20,000 migrating birds who come to visit each year. The reservoir's catchment has a continental climate, with 90 percent of rainfall falling between November and April, with January seeing the most precipitation. At elevations above 1,500 m, snowfall is common.

Woodlands, orchards, and low-growing brush make up the vegetation on the lake's periphery. There has been no submerged or emergent vegetation observed in the lake during water-level variations as the stored water is used for numerous useful purposes. When the lake's water level is lowest, a steppe-like land slope with little vegetation of stony shingle terrain has been noted, with flocks of larks and lapwings.

Location: Lake Qaraoun, Lebanon
Opening Hours: Daily