Kow-Ata underground lake

Kow Ata (also The Bakharlyn) is an underground lake in an eponymous cave near Bäherden in Turkmenistan, at the foot of the Kopet Dag.[1][2] It is the largest in Commonwealth of Independent States.[3]

History

The landform was first documented by archaeologists in 1856.[1] 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.[1][3]

In 1960s, a road was constructed to the cave, electricity supplied, and hotels built in nearby areas.[3]

Geology

Cave

The cave has a length of 250 m and variable width of 12–50 m.[2] There are five entrances.[2]

Lake

The lake is at a depth of 55 metres (180 ft) from the 3rd (by height) cave entrance;[lower-alpha 1] no sunlight reaches the cave.[4][5] Length is reported to lie between 75 metres (246 ft) and 80 metres (260 ft); breadth varies, across the length, between 8 metres (26 ft) and 23 metres (75 ft).[2][3] Average depth is about 10 metres (33 ft); maximum depth is 15 metres (49 ft).[6]

The water flows out into a sulfur-rich spring.[5][6]

Limnology

The temperature of the lake remains roughly constant throughout the year, between 33 °C (91 °F) and 38 °C (100 °F).[4] The water has a high mineral content[lower-alpha 2] and is especially rich in sulfur.[4] The water is transparent with a shade of bluish green.[5]

Flora and fauna

Bats, rodents, birds, and about 50 invertebrate species inhabit the cave.[2]

Tourism

Bathing is permitted in Kow Ata, making it a prominent weekend destination for residents of Ashgabat.[4] A long-winding illuminated staircase leads to the cave.[7][6] Changing cubicles and an observation platform are provided at about 80% length of the stair-route.[8] There are no safety features except a tape warning swimmers to not proceed beyond.[8]

Healing

Balneotherapy is practiced.[2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Staircases are only installed at this entrance.
  2. ↑ Turkmenistan Government claims the water to contain 38 elements including sulfur, iodine, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulfate, aluminum, bromine, iron, and antimony.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Золотой век". 2017-07-04. Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "БАХАРДЕНСКАЯ ПЕЩЕРА • Большая российская энциклопедия - электронная версия". bigenc.ru. Archived from the original on 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Подземное озеро Ков-Ата – чудо природы". Партнерство для Инноваций (in Russian). 2017-11-27. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Brummell, Paul (2005). Turkmenistan. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-1-84162-144-9.
  5. 1 2 3 orient.tm https://orient.tm/ru/unikalnoe-tvorenie-prirody-skazochnaya-peshhera-kov-ata. Retrieved 2021-11-03. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. 1 2 3 "Ков-ата - подземное, целебное озеро (+инфографика) • Alpagama". Alpagama (in Russian). 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  7. ↑ turkmenportal. "Подземное озеро Ков-Ата – чудо природы". Туркменистан, интернет портал о культурной, деловой и развлекательной жизни в Туркменистане (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  8. 1 2 "Kow Ata | Turkmenistan Travel Guide - Koryo Tours". koryogroup.com. 5 March 2020. Retrieved 2021-11-03.

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