Tödürge Lake

Tödürge Lake is a natural lake located within the boundaries of the Zara district in Sivas Province, in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. The lake is situated approximately 50 to 56 kilometers from the city center of Sivas, along the Sivas-Erzurum highway (E-23), between the districts of Hafik and Zara. The lake derives its name from the nearby Tödürge (Demiryurt) Village, located about one kilometer away. The name Tödürge is a modified form of Dodurga, an ancient Turkic tribe.

Geographical Features

Tödürge Lake lies within the Upper Kızılırmak Basin, at the exit of the Kızılırmak Canyon. Its coordinates are 39°53' north latitude and 37°36' east longitude. The lake has a surface area of approximately 5 km² (350 hectares) and is situated at an elevation of 1,295 meters above sea level. Its depth varies significantly between 4 and 10 meters. The lake is fed by both natural springs at its bottom and surface and groundwater from the surrounding area. The water is calcareous and slightly saline.

Tödürge Lake (Sivas Governorate)

Geological and Topographic Structure

Tödürge Lake is located within a Tertiary basin bounded to the northeast by the North Anatolian Fault Zone. The area surrounding the lake is built upon the Hafik Formation, which dates to the Middle to Upper Miocene. This formation consists of alternating layers of gypsum, claystone, and sandstone. In the western sections, Quaternary alluvial deposits are present. The Hafik Formation has a thickness of approximately 700 to 750 meters and was deposited in a lagoonal environment. Stratigraphically, the region exhibits characteristics of both Miocene and Quaternary geological periods.

Biological Features

Tödürge Lake hosts a rich ecosystem in terms of biodiversity. It is one of the rare lakes in Türkiye that supports 17 different fish species. Additionally, it serves as an important habitat and feeding ground for numerous bird species. Some of the bird species observed in the area include the Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Stork, Osprey, Pochard, Mallard, Golden Eagle, Reed Warbler, Crane, Common Snipe, Red-legged Partridge, Black Stork, Ferruginous Duck, and Yellow-headed Wagtail.

Tödürge Lake (Sivas Governorate)

Conservation Status

Although Tödürge Lake does not currently hold any official protected status, it has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Furthermore, due to its significance as a feeding ground for birds, it is listed among candidate sites for inclusion under the Ramsar Convention. There are no local associations or civil society organizations in the vicinity of the lake dedicated to environmental protection.

Ownership and Use Status

The lake is located near the villages of Canova and Demiryurt, which are under the jurisdiction of Zara district. Within the lake area, there is one large lake and several smaller ones. The surrounding marshland and bottomlands are predominantly registered as pasture or state land. A total area of 161,784 square meters is classified as pasture or state land. Some unusable areas remain unregistered. Due to the absence of settlements around the lake, there is no direct pressure on land ownership.

Social and Recreational Use

Located 26 kilometers from the center of Zara district, the lake is a frequently visited recreational site by the local population. Facilities for rest and relaxation are available around the lake, and boat excursions are offered. Additionally, diving activities are practiced in the lake. In this regard, the lake holds significance for regional recreational and tourism activities. Tödürge Lake is one of the important wetlands of Sivas Province, notable for both its natural structure and biological diversity.