Üüreg Lake

In western Mongolia, northwest of the Great Lakes Hollow and close to the western margin of the Uvs Nuur basin, there is a salty lake called Üüreg Lake in an endorheic basin. On the west side of the lake is the Tsagaan river valley. Üüreg Lake is also one of the most beautiful lakes in Mongolia.

The lake's sides are smooth and slightly sloping; there are no bays or peninsulas. Several rivers empty into the lake, but the majority just occasionally. The Khari River, which empties into the northwest of the lake, is the largest river with a steady flow. Marshes and vegetation resembling swamps can be found close to the Khari River's mouth. Due to significant evaporation and a lack of outflow, the lake water is salty.

Since the Üüreg Lake depression is a desert, the water's surface evaporates a much. 800-900 mm of water evaporates annually on average. Rainfall and groundwater help to make up for this water loss in addition to the rivers' intake. The lake waters freeze from October to May, generating a block of ice that can be between 1.2 and 1.5 meters thick. Many endangered animals, including the Bald Eagle, the Cycloid Goose, the Phallas Cat, and the Red Fox, have found sanctuary in this lake.

Location: western Mongolia