Bareti Lake

Bareti Lake (ბარეთის ტბა – Baretis Tba) is a small, shallow freshwater lake on the Tsalka Plateau, part of the wider Javakheti volcanic highlands, in Georgia’s Kvemo Kartli region (Tsalka Municipality). Located near the village of Bareti at an elevation of approximately 1615 meters, this lake is characteristic of the numerous small water bodies found across the plateau. It is fed by snowmelt, rainfall, and underground waters, and serves as the source of the Bareti River. Due to its shallowness (maximum depth around 2.5 meters), Bareti Lake hosts abundant aquatic vegetation and is considered eutrophic (nutrient-rich). This makes it an important habitat, particularly for various waterfowl and other wetland birds, attracting birdwatchers. The lake is also used by local residents for fishing.

Identification and Location:

• Name of the Lake: Bareti Lake (ბარეთის ტბა – Baretis Tba). Sometimes historically referred to as Bashkoi Lake.
• Location:
  • Country/Region: Georgia, Kvemo Kartli region, Tsalka Municipality.
  • Specific Location: On the Tsalka Plateau, near the village of Bareti.
  • Nearest Major Landmark/Area: Tsalka Plateau, Bareti village, Tsalka Reservoir (nearby larger artificial lake), town of Tsalka.
  • Coordinates: Approximately 41.58∘N,44.16∘E.
  • Relationship to other bodies of water: A natural lake on the plateau. It is the source of the Bareti River (Baretis Tskali), a tributary of the Khrami River.

Physical Characteristics:

• Surface Area: Approximately $1.24-1.34$ km2 (area can fluctuate).
• Maximum Depth: Shallow, approximately $1.3-2.5$ meters (data varies slightly between sources).
• Average Depth: Very shallow, approximately $0.8-1$ meter.
• Volume: Small.
• Elevation: Approximately $1612$ meters above sea level.
• Shoreline Length: Approximately 1.5 km.
• Water Source(s): Primarily snowmelt, precipitation, and groundwater contributions. It lacks permanent river inflows.
• Outlet(s) (if any): Is the source of the Bareti River; an artificial canal also draws water, affecting lake levels.
• Water Type: Freshwater.
• Basin Geology: Occupies a natural depression (synclinal basin) on the Tsalka Plateau, part of the Javakheti volcanic highlands.

Ecological Information:

• Flora (Plant Life): Surrounded by grasslands and steppe vegetation. Supports extensive aquatic vegetation due to its shallow nature, including cattails, rushes, pondweeds, water crowfoot, water knotweed, and water lilies.
• Fauna (Animal Life): Supports fish populations (e.g., Crucian Carp, potentially Sea Bream mentioned locally). Hosts abundant amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. The lake is a significant feeding and resting site for numerous resident and migratory bird species, especially waterfowl.
• Trophic Level: Eutrophic (nutrient-rich).
• Water Clarity: Generally low, particularly in summer, due to shallow depth, sediment resuspension, dense vegetation, and potential algal growth.
• Water Temperature: Varies significantly with seasons. Warms considerably in summer. Freezes completely in winter.
• pH Levels: Near-neutral to alkaline.
• Dissolved Oxygen Levels: Variable; levels can become low in bottom layers or under ice due to decomposition.
• Unique Ecological Features: A characteristic shallow, eutrophic plateau lake. Important habitat for waterfowl and wetland biodiversity on the Tsalka Plateau.
• Conservation Status: Located within the ecologically significant Tsalka Plateau/Javakheti highlands landscape. It is considered a candidate site for inclusion within broader protected areas like Algeti National Park. Important Bird Area (IBA) criteria apply to the wider plateau.
• Invasive Species: Potential for introduction of non-native fish exists.

Human Interaction and Significance:

• Historical Significance: Part of a region with historical settlement near Bareti village.
• Current Uses: Local fishing (recreational/subsistence). Livestock watering. Birdwatching. Limited general tourism compared to larger regional lakes.
• Environmental Issues: Vulnerable to eutrophication exacerbated by agricultural runoff. Water levels are sensitive to drought, climate change affecting precipitation/snowmelt, and water extraction via the canal. Livestock grazing impacts shoreline vegetation.
• Management and Conservation Efforts: Falls under municipal environmental oversight. Conservation of plateau wetlands is recognized as important for regional biodiversity.
• Local Communities: Provides local resources (fish, livestock water) and recreational opportunities for the community of Bareti village and others nearby.

Interesting or Unique Facts:

• Bareti Lake is a typical example of the small, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes common on the volcanic plateaus of southern Georgia.
• It serves as a vital habitat for birdlife within the Tsalka Plateau ecosystem.
• The lake is the headwater source for the Bareti River.
• Its water level and surface area have been significantly impacted by the construction of an outflow canal.