Lake Yeniçağa

Lake Yeniçağa, a tectonic lake near the district of Yeniçağa in Bolu Province. The North Anatolian Fault line influences the formation of the lake. The lake area is 2.6 km², and its elevation above sea level is 989 m. The lake's waters are fresh, its deepest point is 11 m, and its average depth is 5 m. The lake's length is 7 km, and its width is 2.5 km.

Hydrology

The lake's water level changes seasonally depending on precipitation. The lake shore consists of reeds and marshes. Excess water from the lake is transferred to the Büyüksu stream via the Çağa Creek. The lake is located within the 25 km² triangular-shaped Yeniçağa plain. In areas near the lake, peatlands formed by the lake's influence are present. Small streams from the east, west, and northwest flow into the lake. From the east, the Deliler stream, and from the west, the Kuzuviran stream flow into the lake. In the plain, 9 hm³ of groundwater has been identified. Commercial fishing is carried out in the lake by a fishery cooperative.

The lake area was reduced in 1954 to prevent erosion and in 1969 to prevent floods. The canal opened for this purpose was closed in 1990 when the lake level was high.

Lithology

The north of the basin consists of sediments, and the south of volcanic rocks. The two parts are separated by the North Anatolian Fault. The deposits in the north are more eroded and lower. The Çağa depression formed due to tectonic reasons during the Young Quaternary period. About 10 m above the lake surface, on the KB and to the west, lake terraces formed by freshwater streams are present. It is estimated that the lake, which formed at the beginning of the Quaternary, was 2.5–3 times larger than it is today.

Flora and Fauna

Approximately 100 bird species have been identified in Lake Yeniçağa. Cranes and the imperial eagle nest in the lake. The bee-eater, the black kite, and the fish eagle visit the lake during migration. Carp, roach, Japanese carp, and coral fish are fish species hunted in the lake.

The lake surroundings are bordered by meadows important for peat formation. After the protection decision, the enriched meadows are habitats and breeding areas for many animals. Turkey's deepest calcareous peat lake, at 2 meters, is located here. When peat extracted from 1.2 meters is illegally removed from the depths, marshes have begun to form. Peat that contributed to the Yeniçağa economy is no longer extracted.

The D.100 passing through the district and the nearby TEM highway, with 40 thousand vehicles per day, cause pollution that is a significant problem. Chemicals such as magnesium and zinc have been identified in the lake. Pollution from the roads is carried to the lake by rainwater.