ABSTRACT

Lake Urmia in the northwest of Iran is the second largest hypersaline lake worldwide. During the past two decades, a significant water level decline has occurred in the lake. The Lake Urmia tragedy, which is perhaps the most disastrous water problem experienced by the Iranians to date, occurred not only as a result of frequent droughts and aggressive upstream water use, diversion, and storage but also due to the anthropogenic effects of arrogant and uncoordinated upstream development activities by three provinces in a competitive environment. Shrinkage of the lake and constriction of a controversial causeway over the lake have had significant implications for the lake’s valuable ecosystem and the regional economy.

This chapter intends to have provided the entire information to manage the lake, its ecosystem, and watershed that may be of immediate help for the restoration. The condition of Lake Urmia at present is an indisputable crisis: The lake is in an absolutely dire condition and will become a tragedy and a disaster on a monumental scale if effective restoration measures are not enacted promptly and correctly. The urgency and hemispheric importance of implementing corrective measures to restore the ecological, limnological, recreational, aesthetic, and climatic features of Lake Urmia cannot be overstated. There is an immediate and pressing need to move forward quickly and effectively with the restoration of Lake Urmia.