Tödürge Lake

Tödürge Lake, located in Sivas, is a naturally formed lake. The lake is between the districts of Hafik and Zara. It is situated 17 km east of Hafik and 12 km west of Zara. It is at the 50th kilometre of the Sivas - Erzurum road. The lake's surface area is 350 ha, its deepest point is 44.5 metres and its average depth is 2-3 metres. It is fed by springs at its bottom and streams coming from the surroundings. The lake takes its name from Tödürge Village, which is 1 km south of it. Many birds come to this lake to hunt fish. The lake's surface area is about 5 square kilometres, its elevation above sea level is 1295 metres. It is the largest lake in Sivas and contains two islands. In a very large part of the lake the depth is between 4-10 metres. Because it is fed both by springs at its bottom and by local waters, the lake's water is calcareous and salty. It is one of the rare lakes where 17 species of fish are raised. Some of the birds that can be observed around Tödürge Lake are: Tepeli Batağan, Red‑necked Batağan, Stork, Angut, Pintail, Black‑winged Kite, Sea Eagle, Reed Warbler, Crane, Long‑legged, Red‑legged, Sumru, Hungarian Duck, Yellow‑headed Tail‑swallower. There is a legend about the formation of the lake. Also, residents of the Zara district enter the lake in the summer months to cool off.

Tepeli batağan, Angıt, red‑necked batağan, green‑head, pintail, small black‑duck in the lake, crane, red‑legged and long‑legged nest around the lake.

Tödürge Legend

A man lost his way and found himself in a village. Thirsty, he thought he would receive help from people, so he entered the village and knocked on the villagers' doors.

From every door he knocked, he turned away with his face downcast. No one wanted to help him or give water and bread. The man cursed the people; "No one helped me, may water flow from all your hearths, may it flood everywhere," and left the village.

Then water began to flow from the hearths in the village houses and everywhere was covered with water. The village that was submerged turned into a lake. Since the village was then called Tödürge Village, they called the lake "Tödürge Lake".