| Ab-e Istada | |
|---|---|
| Āb-e Istāda, Ab-e Estada, Āb-e Īstādeh-e Moqor, Lake Istada | |
| آب ایستاده (Persian) | |
 Ab-e Istada in November 1996. TheKabul–Kandahar Highway is visible in the top left corner. | |
  Ab-e Istada | |
| Location | Nawa District,Ghazni Province,Afghanistan |
| Coordinates | 32°30′N67°54′E / 32.5°N 67.9°E /32.5; 67.9 |
| Type | Salt lake |
| Primary inflows | Ghazni River,Sardeh River,Nahara River |
| Catchment area | 17,252 km2 (6,661 sq mi) |
| Basin countries | Afghanistan |
| Surface area | 130 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 3.7 m (12 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 2,070 m (6,790 ft) |
| Islands | Loya ghundai, Kuchney ghundai |
 | |
Ab-i Istada ("standing water"[1]) is anendorheicsalt lake in theNawa District ofGhazni Province inAfghanistan. It lies in a large depression created by theChaman Fault system in the southern foothills of theHindu Kush, 125 km (78 mi) west ofGhazni.[1]
In modern times the lake has been reported to have a surface area of 130 km2 (50 sq mi),[2] although it dries out periodically.[1][3] It is very shallow, not exceeding 3.7 m (12 ft) in depth.[4] There are two small islands near the lake's southeastern shore, Loya ghundai (2,500 m2 [27,000 sq ft]) and Kuchney ghundai (500 m2 [5,400 sq ft]).[2] The water is highly alkaline andmass die-offs of freshwater fish from the Ghazni River sometimes occur.[1]
The main inflows into Ab-i Istada are the Ghazni, Sardeh and Nahara Rivers, which drain into it from the northeast.[3] The watershed draining into the lake covers 17,252 km2 (6,661 sq mi) and was home to over 1.8 million people in 2003.[5] Three sets ofraised beaches surrounding the lake have been noted at 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in – 9 ft 10 in), 6–7 m (20–23 ft) and 9–10 m (30–33 ft) above the normal lake level.[1] At high water levels, the lake is known to overflow into theLora River, a tributary of theArghistan River,[5] through two channels on the south side of the lake, Akasi Mandeh and Sekva Mandeh. A groundwater connection between the lake and the Lora drainage has been suggested.[1]
Historically the area around the lake was unpopulated, although nomads from nearby regions visited it in the summer. More recently, theTarakai have settled near the lake: in 2003 there were eight villages within 10 km (6.2 mi) with a total population of approximately 5000.[3] Economic activities around the lake includetrapping ofsaker andperegrine falcons,[3]grazing and collection of fuel wood.[2]
The wetlands around Ab-i Istada attract a variety of migratory birds, over 120 species having previously been recorded.[2]Babur observed enormous flocks ofgreater flamingoes at the lake;[6] their numbers in recent years have varied between 0 and 9000.[3] The wetlands were once a critical stopover for the central migratory population ofSiberian cranes, but these have not been sighted at the lake since 1986.[3] In 1974, the Afghani government proclaimed a Waterfowl and Flamingo Sanctuary around the lake,[2] causing considerable resentment among the locals;[3] conservation efforts ended with theSoviet invasion in 1979 and have not been restarted since.[2]
A 27,000 ha area, encompassing the lake and its immediate surrounds, has been designated anImportant Bird Area (IBA) byBirdLife International because it supports populations ofgreylag geese,common pochards,greater flamingos,Siberian cranes,grey herons,great white pelicans,black-winged stilts,Kentish plovers,slender-billed gulls andgull-billed terns.[7]
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