Lake Düden: A Shallow Brackish Water Lake in Konya, Turkey

Lake Düden, located in the Konya province of Turkey, is a brackish water lake with natural beauty and wildlife. It is situated in the Kulu district and fed by the Kulu Stream and small springs in the surrounding area. Since the lake has no outflow, it is a closed basin and a shallow lake. "Little Lake" to the north of Lake Düden is a freshwater lake. Lake Düden offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its natural habitat and protected bird species.

Lake Düden is a tectonic lake 950 m above sea level, 800 hectares in size, on the border of the Kulu district of Konya. The waters of the lake, fed by the Kulu Stream and the small springs in the vicinity, are slightly salty. Since the lake has no outflow, it is a closed basin and it is a shallow lake. To the south of the lake is Lake Küçük with fresh water.

Lake Düden, also known as Lake Kulu, is a brackish water lake in Konya Province, Turkey.

Lake Düden is located northwest of Lake Tuz and 5 km (3.1 mi) east of Kulu town in Konya Province at an elevation of 950 m (3,120 ft). It is a shallow brackish water lake covering 860 ha (2,100 acres) area. The lake is fed mainly by Kulu Creek, aka Değirmenözü Creek, in the west. It has no outlet. Spring waters around lake also contribute to the lake's feeding. There are nine islets inside the lake. In the south of the lake, there is a freshwater lake named "Little Lake" surrounded by dense reeds. While the ducks generally brooding at the Little Lake in the south, the gulls and common terns prefer the islets in colonies. Lake Düden, Lake Little and their surrounding area of wetlands and steppes were declared protected areas in 1992.

Most of the nine islets are covered by grass n the spring season. The lake is surrounded by wheat fields of dryland farming and naked steppe. In the north, there are water-meadows in some places used for cattle grazing.

Lake Düden is a habitat for around 40,000 waders of more than 170 species during both breeding and migration periods. The area houses summer breeds like marbled duck, ferruginous duck, white-headed duck, avocet, greater sand plover, Mediterranean gull and gull-billed tern. Before and after breeding periods, a great number of waders are observed, including black-necked grebe, ruddy shelduck, white-headed duck, black-winged stilt, avocet and snowy plover. In the wintertime, the lake freezes. However, greater white-fronted goose can be observed in great numbers. Other breeding species are the Eurasian spoonbill, pratincole, slender-billed gull and black-headed gull. Lake Düden is an important breeding habitat in Turkey for the world-wide endangered species white-headed duck. Lately, flamingo colonies came to the lake.

The sinking of the water level in the lake is the most important thread. The excessive consumption of groundwater and surface water in the Konya Closed Basin started to affect the lake. Despite the intensive snowfall in 2006, the lake has almost completely dried out. As a result of the sinking of the water level, the islets were connected with each other, and the breeding of birds stopped.

In 2010, the district administration undertook measures to save the lake by building a wastewater treatment facility and preventing unlawful water usage from the creek.