Hirfanlı Reservoir (814)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, A1d
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Hirfanlı Barajı
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.1333, Longitude: 33.7000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 851 to 851
Area of KBA (km2): 689.37308
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large reservoir (max. depth 70 m) on the Kýzýlýrmak river, north-east of Tuz lake (site 072). Up to 7,000 ha of mudflats appear during periods of low water-levels. The area is surrounded by arable land. The dam provides hydroelectric power and serves flood-control purposes.
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: The site is very important for wintering waterbirds, with counts of up to 134,000 birds recorded in recent years. Terns (Sterninae) breed in small numbers on the islands.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Proposals are being developed to irrigate 13,500 ha adjacent to the IBA with water from the reservoir. This may lead to agricultural run-off flowing back into the reservoir. Hunting causes disturbance.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |