Tortum Gölü

Lake Tortum is a narrow, deep mountain lake squeezed between high, rocky mountains beside the road from Erzurum to Artvin. The provincial tourism guide states that the lake is 105 kilometres from the city centre and about 7 kilometres from the centre of the Uzundere district. The Kültür Portalı describes it as lying 35 kilometres north of the Tortum district, on the Erzurum to Artvin road. The lake is within the boundaries of the Uzundere district, near the village of Balıklı. The lake is a landslide-dammed lake. Sources relate that in the 18th century a huge landslide coming down from Kemerli Dağ blocked the course of the Tortum Stream. The Turkish Wikipedia dates the event to 1791 and writes that the limestone blocks that broke away from the mountainside formed a barrier about 50 metres high. In this way both a lake basin and a natural dam appeared in the valley. Where the surplus water of the lake spills over this barrier into the Tev Valley, it forms Tortum Waterfall. The dimensions of the lake vary a little from source to source. The Kültür Portalı says that the lake stretches for 8 kilometres along a narrow, steep valley, while the provincial tourism guide gives a length of about 10 kilometres. According to the Turkish Wikipedia, its width varies between 100 and 1000 metres, its surface lies about 1000 metres above sea level and its depth approaches 100 metres. The same source explains that the lake consists of two basins of different depths, separated by an underwater sill. Every year the Tortum Stream carries a great deal of sediment into the lake; according to Wikipedia, the delta at the mouth of the stream advanced 941 metres into the lake between 1947 and 2010. Today the lake is also a source of energy. The Turkish Wikipedia writes that the Tortum Dam, built in 1960, produces electricity from the lake's water, and that in 1971 and 1972 a small weir built on top of the landslide mass turned the lake into a reservoir. Water is released from the lake both to the power plant and to the waterfall. The easiest way to see the lake is the road itself. The Erzurum to Artvin road runs along the western shore of the lake, and according to the provincial tourism guide there are viewpoints and a long glass terrace beside the road from which you can look down on the lake. The guide stresses how beautiful the reflection of the mountains and clouds on the water looks from here. For photographs, the morning hours and the moments when the wind drops make the water look like a mirror. The Kültür Portalı explains that earth pillars rise along the eastern shores of the lake, while the western slopes are very steep and rocky. From the higher points of the road you can see the contrast between the two shores in a single frame. There are picnic areas for those who want to go down to the shore. According to the Kültür Portalı, the wooded areas near the village of Balıklı and the peninsula reaching into the lake are used as picnic grounds. The Bozburun Peninsula, which stretches into the lake in front of Balıklı village, is one of the most visited points of the lake. There are two islands in the lake, named Ayvalı and Küçük, and it is possible to take a rowing boat out on the calm water. There are apple and apricot orchards on the opposite shore; according to the provincial guide, these orchards can only be reached by boat. Lake Tortum is also a stop for birdwatchers. The Kültür Portalı writes that there is a small bird sanctuary at the southern end of the lake and that all four vulture species seen in Türkiye can be observed in the valley. That makes it a good idea to bring your binoculars. Cage fish farming is carried out on the lake, producing trout and mirror carp. The lake is reached by the Tortum and Uzundere minibuses that leave from Erzurum; ask about the departure point and times before you go. Because the lake and the waterfall are very close to each other, visiting both on the same day is the most natural plan. On the narrow, winding sections of the road, stop for the views only in proper lay-bys.