Ghurghumela Lake

Ghurghumela Lake (ღურღუმელას ტბა – Ghurghumelas Tba) is a small freshwater lake located in the Chiatura Municipality of the Imereti region in western Georgia. Situated near the village of Usakhelo (Chiatura Municipality), it lies within a landscape characterized by hills and potentially influenced by the karst geology prevalent in the Chiatura area. The lake itself is relatively small and shallow, fed by local precipitation, runoff, and likely springs. Surrounded by the region’s typical vegetation, it serves as a local natural feature rather than a major tourist destination. Its ecological significance lies in providing aquatic and wetland habitat within its local environment. Detailed scientific data on its specific physical and ecological parameters is limited, but it represents one of the numerous smaller water bodies found throughout the Imereti region’s varied terrain.

Identification and Location:

• Name of the Lake: Ghurghumela Lake (ღურღუმელას ტბა – Ghurghumelas Tba).
• Location:
  • Country/Region: Georgia, Imereti region, Chiatura Municipality.
  • Specific Location: Near the village of Usakhelo (Chiatura Municipality).
  • Nearest Major Landmark/Area: Town of Chiatura, Usakhelo village.
  • Coordinates: Approximate coordinates place it within the Chiatura Municipality area (General vicinity might be around 42.3∘N,43.2∘E).
  • Relationship to other bodies of water: A local lake, likely draining via small streams or seepage into the broader drainage system, possibly connected to the Kvirila River basin.

Physical Characteristics:

• Surface Area: Small; likely less than 0.05 km2.
• Maximum Depth: Shallow.
• Average Depth: Shallow.
• Volume: Small.
• Elevation: Moderate elevation, typical for the area, perhaps around $700-800$ meters above sea level.
• Shoreline Length: Short, corresponding to its small surface area.
• Water Source(s): Fed by precipitation, surface runoff from adjacent slopes, and local springs, possibly karst-related.
• Outlet(s) (if any): Drains via a small surface stream or through ground seepage, potentially influenced by underlying karst structures.
• Water Type: Freshwater.
• Basin Geology: Located within the Chiatura Municipality, an area known for significant karst development in limestone. The lake basin might be a karst depression (doline) or formed through other local geomorphological processes.

Ecological Information:

• Flora (Plant Life): Surrounded by hilly meadows and deciduous forests typical of Imereti. Aquatic vegetation such as reeds, rushes, and submerged plants are expected due to its shallow nature.
• Fauna (Animal Life): Supports populations of amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. Fish, such as smaller, resilient freshwater species adapted to smaller lakes, may be present. The lake and its surroundings provide habitat for local birds and mammals.
• Trophic Level: Likely Mesotrophic to Eutrophic, influenced by its shallowness and nutrient inputs from the surrounding catchment.
• Water Clarity: Variable; clarity can be affected by rainfall runoff carrying sediment and by seasonal biological activity (e.g., algal growth).
• Water Temperature: Varies seasonally with air temperature. Due to its shallowness, it warms considerably in summer and freezes in winter.
• pH Levels: Near-neutral to slightly alkaline, influenced by the regional geology.
• Dissolved Oxygen Levels: Variable, generally sufficient for adapted aquatic life but may decrease in warm conditions or under ice cover.
• Unique Ecological Features: A small natural lake providing local wetland habitat within the karst-influenced landscape of Chiatura.
• Conservation Status: No specific high-level conservation designation is commonly noted. Protected under general environmental regulations. Valued locally.
• Invasive Species: No specific information available.

Human Interaction and Significance:

• Historical Significance: No major historical events are widely associated with this specific small lake. Holds local significance for nearby communities.
• Current Uses: Used for local recreational fishing, livestock watering, or as a scenic natural spot by residents. Not a major tourism site.
• Environmental Issues: Susceptible to impacts from adjacent land use (e.g., agricultural runoff). Water levels may fluctuate significantly based on rainfall patterns. Karst environments can be sensitive to groundwater contamination.
• Management and Conservation Efforts: Managed under local municipal jurisdiction. No specific large-scale conservation projects are typically highlighted.
• Local Communities: Primarily relevant to the residents of Usakhelo village and other nearby settlements in Chiatura Municipality as a local natural feature.

Interesting or Unique Facts:

• Ghurghumela Lake is a small, local water body located within the notable karst region of Chiatura Municipality.
• While named, it is not widely known outside its immediate local area.