Lake Sevan, one of the best leisure destinations
in Armenia, is changing every day, with new hotels and motels appearing everywhere on the shores of the lake. Lake Sevan is very beautiful with its clean and fresh
water, which is warm and pleasant in summer. It's an ideal place
for rest with family during week-ends and holidays. We can make reservations
at discounted rates in Tsapatagh
Hotel belonging to Tufenkian Hotel chain and Harsnaqar
Hotel Complex. Now contracts are being signed with other
hotels too located near Lake Sevan.
Modern hotel entertainment complex next to to Sevan Peninsula. 10% discount off the regular rates during low seasons! The rates include all local taxes and breakfast for 1 person. To see the photos please click here.
Tsapatagh Hotel belongs to Tufenkian Hotels. It is a nice and interesting place on the beach of Lake Sevan. 5% discount off the regular rates. Rates include all local taxes and breakfast for 1 person. To see the photos please click here.
FACTS ABOUT LAKE SEVAN
Description
Lake Sevan is the largest alpine high mountain freshwater lake in the Caucasus region and in Armenia Highland.
Lake Sevan is a source of water for irrigation, hydropower, recreation, fish, migratory bird habitat and nursery zones for aquatic and amphibian species.
Country
Armenia
Latitude
40° 17' 0" (40.2833)
Longitude
45° 24' 0" (45.4000)
State
River Basin
Kura-Araks
Physical Characteristics
Description
Sevan's catchment basin spans an area one-sixth the size of all Armenia and is comprised of 28 small inflow creeks and rivers.
Compared to the predisturbed state of Lake Sevan, volume, area and depth have all decreased. Prior to disturbance (1930s), Lake Sevan held 58.50 ckm, covered 1,416 sqm, and was on average 41 meters deep and 100 meters at its deepest point.
Volume
32.94 km 3
Surface Area
1,236.00 km 2
Depth
Mean depth: 27.0 m
Maximum depth: 80.0 m
Type
Fresh
Permanent
Natural
Catchment
Catchment size: 3,600.00 km 2
Catchment/surface area ratio: 3:1
Socio-Political
Economic Value
Lake Sevan is a source of recreation, tourism, and irrigation for the agriculture sector that accounts for 33% of Armenia's GDP. 80% of the nation's valued crops are supported by irrigation. Furthermore, hydropower provides 8% of total energy production in the country.
Primary Economic Sectors
Agriculture - 33%
Major Cities
Gavar City , the capital of Gegharquniq Marz, has 32,000 inhabitants. Other major cities are Sevan, Martuni and Vardenis. In Sevan, many people work in hotels and restaurants that are associated with lake tourism.
Population
275,000 (2001)
Watershed Management
Description
The Lake Sevan Environmental Action Program aims to restore the lake in a sustainable manner that will enable tourism and recreation to continue to be promoted throughout the region. Other nation-wide projects include the Natural Resources Management and Poverty reduction for Armenia (World Bank) and the Program on Strengthening Water Management for Enhanced Environmental Quality (US AID).
Watershed Action Plan
In development
Sub-basin Action Plan
In development
Issues
Water drainage and irrigation for agriculture pose a major threat to the lake's health. Over 20,000 hectares of marshes and wetlands have already been drained and lake levels have dropped over 19 meters in forty years. Also problematic is pollution from municipal sewage, agricultural runoff and industry.
Other Issues
Invasive Species
Point source pollution
Polluted runoff
Specific Contaminants
Pesticides
Monitoring
Also monitored within the lake are fish and crayfish commercial stocks.
Monitoring Programs
In-Lake
Water Quality
Lake Use
Biodiversity Conservation
Description
The Salmo ischchan , Barbus goktshaikus , and Varikorhinus capoeta fish species are endemic to Lake Sevan. Several fish species are severely threatened due to drying up of spawning grounds. The Lutra lutra otter that once depended on wetland habitat has gone extinct within recent decades.
