Lake Arpi is a natural lake enlarged into a reservoir in northwestern Armenia’s Shirak Province. Known in Armenian as Արփի լիճ (Arp’i lich), it lies on the Ashotsk Plateau and is the source of the Akhurian River. Its waters and surrounding wetlands are important for irrigation and birdlife.
Featured photo: Cisssko, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; resized for display.
Location: Ashotsk Plateau, Shirak Province, Armenia.
Water surface: 8.53 sq mi (22.1 km²) reported average in the 2011 Ramsar information sheet.
Catchment: 84.94 sq mi (220 km²) of land draining toward the lake, a separate measurement.
Setting: Lake Arpi National Park, established in 2009.
Geographical Setting
Arpi occupies a high mountain plateau near Armenia’s borders with Georgia and Türkiye, at roughly 6,644 feet (2,025 meters) above sea level. Meltwater and streams feed the reservoir, and the Akhurian River carries water downstream. The Key Biodiversity Areas account describes mountain-steppe surroundings and substantial seasonal changes in water level. An Armenian country report describes winter ice cover lasting four to five months.
Historical Background
The Ramsar information sheet updated in 2011 dates the lake’s conversion into a reservoir to 1950. Operator Jrar separately records the start of operations in 1951.
The Ramsar sheet describes a pre-dam water surface of about 1.9 sq mi (5 km²), expanding to a reported average of 8.53 sq mi (22.1 km²) after impoundment. Its average reservoir-volume figure of about 3.2 billion cubic feet (90 million m³) is a historical reference, not the amount of water stored today. Water-surface area, storage capacity and current stored volume should not be treated as interchangeable.
Environmental Aspects
Flora and Fauna
The lake and neighboring wetlands provide nesting and resting places for resident and migratory birds. Armenian gulls and Dalmatian pelicans are among the notable species described by the Caucasus Nature Fund.
Lake Arpi National Park was established on April 16, 2009. The Ministry of Environment identifies wetland, meadow-steppe and subalpine-meadow ecosystems among its protected features. Fish also inhabit the reservoir; the 2011 Ramsar assessment identifies introduced species and overfishing as conservation concerns.
Human Impact and Usage
According to Jrar, the reservoir supplies irrigation systems on the Shirak Plain and supplements Akhurian Reservoir downstream. Its water-management role also affects wildlife: the KBA assessment describes how fluctuating water levels can expose nesting islands and make bird colonies more vulnerable to disturbance.
Accessibility
Birdwatching is one reason to visit this remote part of Shirak. Before traveling, check current routes, seasonal conditions and permitted activities with Lake Arpi National Park, whose administration is listed in Berdashen village. Check boating and fishing permissions before making plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Arpi natural or artificial?
It began as a natural lake and was enlarged by a dam. The Ramsar record dates conversion to 1950; the operator gives 1951 as the start of operations.
How large are Lake Arpi and its catchment?
The 2011 Ramsar sheet reports a 8.53 sq mi (22.1 km²) average water surface. The 84.94 sq mi (220 km²) figure describes the catchment, not the lake itself. Jrar rounds its reported water surface to 8.5 sq mi (22 km²).
Why is Lake Arpi important for birds?
Its lake, islands and neighboring wetlands provide breeding and resting habitat. Water-level changes and disturbance can affect those habitats, so wildlife protection is an important part of reservoir management.
What Did We Learn Today?
Lake Arpi combines a natural lake basin, a managed reservoir and protected wetland habitats. Its irrigation role and birdlife are closely connected to water levels. The lake surface, its wider catchment and the national park each have different boundaries.
Sources & Data Notes
Checked November 9, 2026. The area and volume are published reference figures, not a new survey or live storage reading. The lake surface, catchment, KBA and national park have different boundaries. Access and permitted activities should be checked with the park.
- Armenia’s Lake Arpi Ramsar information sheet, updated May 13, 2011, particularly sections 16, 20 and 26: historical area, volume, catchment and ecological pressures.
- Jrar reservoir profile, undated: operations from 1951, about 8.5 sq mi (22 km²) water surface and downstream irrigation connections.
- Lake Arpi KBA factsheet, last assessment listed as 2008: river connection, seasonal changes and nesting-colony vulnerability. Its site boundary is not the lake’s water surface.
- Ministry of Environment national-parks overview and park contact page: establishment, protected ecosystems and administration.
- Caucasus Nature Fund park profile: bird species and the wider wetland landscape.
- Özkoç and colleagues, Wildfowl 75 (2025), Table 1: the 2,025 m reference elevation. Armenia’s Central Asian Flyway country report, Table 7: historical winter ice-cover duration; not a forecast for an individual winter.
