Lake Akdoğan, also called Lake Hamurpert, is the name of two neighbouring Crater lakes on the Akdoğan Mountains in Turkey. They are separated by a land strip of about . They are both high-altitude lakes located in Varto district of Muş Province.
History
The word Xamurpert means 'Dried castle' in Armenian. According to Gukas Inchichyan, it is said that a bey (melik) dynasty of Sasun origin ruled in the Xamurpert or Xamlpert castle in these mountains until the 1760s.
Geology and geomorphology
As a result of the volcanic eruptions in the Akdoğan Mountains. Akdoğan crater lakes was formed. The complete melting of the snow around the lakes takes place at the end of May. With the arrival of May, the habitats around the lakes are revived.
Bigger lake
Lake Akdoğan () is at . Its elevation with respect to sea level is and its maximum depth is . Its surface area is about The snow from Akdoğan mountains feeds it, and the excess water pour to İskender creek. Big Akdoğan is 3,971 meters wide and 6,185 meters long.
Smaller lake
Lake Small Akdoğan () is at . Its elevation with respect to sea level is and its maximum depth is . Its surface area is . It feeds the main lake through an underground creek. Small Akdoğan is 2,243 meters long and 964 meters wide.
Biota
Flora
The main plant species in the Akdoğan Lakes are Toxic Ferula and non-toxic Ferula, Rheum ribes, Gundelia, Sorrel, Arum maculatum, Asphodelus, Paeonia turcica, Diplotaenia cachrydifolia Boiss, Astragalus kurdicus and Chaerophyllum macrospermum. In addition, there are Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae mushrooms in every part of the Lakes. Oak trees, Frangula alnus and Prunus cerasifera are located on the humid shores of the lake. Crataegus monogyna, Malus sylvestris, Prunus mahaleb and Rosa canina are other trees around the lake.
Fauna
The main fish of the lake is the common carp. The primary birds living on the lake are ducks, geese, and cranes.There are also many bears around the lake.