Lake Milh
| Lake Razzaza | |
|---|---|
From space, June 1996 | |
| Coordinates | 32°45′09″N 43°38′06″E / 32.75250°N 43.63500°E |
| Type | Saline |
| Primary inflows | Canal from Lake Habbaniyah, ultimately the Euphrates |
| Primary outflows | Euphrates River |
| Basin countries | Iraq |
| Surface area | 1,562.34 km2 (603.22 sq mi) |
| Location | |
Interactive map of Lake Razzaza | |
Lake Razzaza (Arabic: البحيرة الرزازة, romanized: Buhairat Al-Razzaza, lit. 'Lake of spray'), also known as Lake Milh (Arabic: بحيرة الملح, romanized: Buhairat Al-Milh, lit. 'Lake of Salt'), is an artificial lake located a few miles west of Karbala, Iraq (32°41′N 43°40′E / 32.683°N 43.667°E). The lake is located in a depression into which excess water from Lake Habbaniyah, which comes from the Euphrates River, is diverted through a controlled escape channel or canal. The lake is listed as a wetland of international importance. The lake is rather shallow and the water level changes seasonally. Due to its salt content and changing water level, this largest freshwater lake in Iraq has lost its important stock of fish species and only a few recreational areas exist around the lake.