Mosul Lake (32158)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Mosul Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.7410, Longitude: 42.7860
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 287 to 380
Area of KBA (km2): 481.18639
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site consists of a large freshwater lake reservoir created by the Mosul Dam southwest of Dohuk city. This earthen embankment dam was completed in 1984 but has been under constant repair as it is built upon gypsum, a material that dissolves in water. A US Army Corps of Engineers report (Paley, 2007) stated that due to the possibility of the foundation eroding, “Mosul Dam is the most dangerous dam in the world.' Due to security concerns, the survey focused on the eastern (Dohuk Governorate) side of the lake in a limited area.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Additional Important Bird Observations: During the 2007-2010 surveys, 87 species were observed. European Roller Coracias garrulus (Near Threatened) was breeding and Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (Vulnerable) occurred in winter, but at levels that did not meet IBA criteria. In winter the site held up to 2500 of the armenicus race of Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis. Other Important Fauna: Data were only collected for fish in 2007 and 2008, when 14 species were reported. Significant species, according to Coad (2010), were: Acanthobrama marmid, Carassius auratus, Cyprinion kais, Cyprinion macrostomum, Cyprinus carpio, Heteropneustes fossilis, Liza abu, Luciobarbus esocinus, Luciobarbus xanthopterus, Silurus triostegus, and Tor grypus. Additionally three species have an unknown conservation status in Iraq: Alburnus caeruleus, Capoeta damascina, and Mastacembelus mastacembelus.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The area around the lake here consists of moist steppe habitat with approximately 50% non-vegetated (similar habitat is likely on the western side of the lake). The features of area were a gentle slope and sandy clay soils and the geology is a mix of siltstone and sandstone. There is little human activity other than gravel mining, wheat and barley farming, and some net fishing on the lake. Access to the survey area was from a water station that serves Dohuk City.
Land use: agriculture | energy production and mining | fisheries/aquaculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The principal environmental threat is the status of the Mosul Dam itself, which is under constant maintenance. The proposed solution for the dam is both expensive and untried. Additional threats at this site were agriculture and livestock production/grazing, gravel mining, and fishing. All were assessed as high threats. In addition, road development and human disturbance due to boat, auto and tractor movement in the area were also considered high. Runoff from the surrounding lands also means that pollution due to the accumulation of trash and other pollutants is a problem as well.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Coad B. W. (2010). Freshwater Fishes of Iraq. PENSOFT Publishers, Sofia-Moscow. No. 93. Paley, A.R. (2007). 'Iraqi Dam Seen In Danger of Deadly Collapse' The Washington Post, October 30, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/29/AR2007102902193.html?hpid=topnews Retrieved on 2 May 2012.