Lagoon of Kara-Bogaz-Gol (Turkmenistan)

Description

Kara-Bogaz-Gol (KBG) is an immense lagoon which is in fact shallow in spite of its deep colour. It is fed only by the salt water of the Caspian sea. When the local authorities decided to build a dam between the two water bodies in 1980, the KBG immediately began to dry out. The exposed salt was dispersed by wind poisoning the land and causing health problems for the population. Alarmed by this, the authorities decided not to allow the situation to degrade further. In 1992 the dam was opened, returning the lagoon to its true character.