Avlan Lake is on the border of Göltarla and Karamık Districts of Antalya's Elmalı district. It is in Elmalı polje, 1030-1050 meters high, together with Karagöl. The lake was formed in the deepest area of the polje. The height of Avlan Lake, which is a karst-formed lake, is 1030 meters from the sea, and its natural size is 850 hectares.
The lake's waters, which were decided to be dried in 1970, were drained into Başgöz Stream by opening a channel between 1975 and 1980. However, by accepting the extent of the damage caused by this drying process to the environment over the years. It was decided to revitalize the lake due to the signatures collected by the villagers of the Elmalı district, including the citizens who bought fields from the dried lake area. Avlan Lake, which started to hold water by closing its lids in 2001, was revived, and carp fish were released into the lake.
There are 569 plants from 80 species in the lake, with a rich ecosystem. One hundred eight of these plants are endemic to the region. 4 species of 15 reptiles live both on land, and in water, 157 species of winged birds, 23 species of mammals live in the lake. Among these species, Anatolian viper, white-tailed eagle and wild wolf are the most striking ones.
Avlan Lake has been a beacon of hope for the people living around it since ancient times. It offers a magnificent richness with ecological structure, flora and fauna that adds abundance and fertility to agricultural lands, and where you will witness fascinating landscapes awaits you in Elmalı.
