Telmen Lake

Telmen Lake
Telmen Lake satellite view
Telmen Lake
LocationZavkhan Province
Coordinates48°50′N 97°19′E / 48.833°N 97.317°E / 48.833; 97.317
Basin countriesMongolia
Max. length28 km (17 mi)
Max. width16 km (9.9 mi)
Surface area194 km2 (75 sq mi)
Max. depth27 m (89 ft)
Water volume2.671 km3 (2,165,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface elevation1,789 m (5,869 ft)

Telmen Lake (Mongolian: Тэлмэн нуур, Chinese: 特勒门湖) is a saltwater lake in Zavkhan Province, Mongolia. It is located in both Nömrög and Telmen District. The water salinity is 6.49-7.61‰. Three islands are located in the lake, which is a gathering point for migratory birds. The lake has been designated an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

Average temperature ranges from -32 °C in January to 12 °C in July. From 6,210 to 3,960 years ago, as determined by radiocarbon dating, Lake Telmen was between 15 and 20m shallower than it is at present.