Lake Amtkeli

Lake Amtkeli or Amtkel is a lake in the Gulripshi District of Abkhazia, Georgia that was formed on 3 October 1891 when an earthquake caused a landslide on the south-western slope of Mt. little Shkhapach into the valley of the Amtkeli River.

Geography

Lake Amtkeli is fed by the Amtkeli River, but only a small part of its water percolates through the obstructing rubble back into the river. The greater part leaves the lake through underground passages to the Jampali River. Due to the lake's limited discharge capacity, its water level rises strongly during snowmelt in May, leading to annual fluctuations of up to in the lake's average height above sea level and maximal depth, and increasing its length from to. The average surface area of Lake Amtkeli is, and its drainage basin measures.
Due to the lake's origin, its underwater slopes are steep, following the surface slopes.

Human settlement

The village of Azanta is located next to lake Amtkeli, and some of its inhabitants keep fishing boats on its shore.

Environment

Lake Amtkeli is home to trout, chub, nase, barbel and spirlin.
In July and August, the lake's average surface temperature is, in Winter it rarely freezes over.