Mahārlū Lake (Iran)

Maharloo Lake (Persian: دریاچه مهارلو) is a seasonal and endorheic hypersaline wetland in the highlands of Iran, 27.0 km (16.8 miles) southeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars province. It is surrounded lengthwise by up to 2,000 m high mountains. The lake shore has an altitude of 1460 m and spans approximately 600 square kilometers, though its size can vary significantly depending on the season. The lake salt is rich in potassium and other salts. Rudkhane-ye-Khoshk, a seasonal river flowing through the city of Shiraz, brings most of the flood water to the lake bed during intensive precipitation events. The lake water typically evaporates by the end of summer and exposes the white lake bed. By mid-summer and due to high evaporation rates and salt concentrations, the lake water turns pinkish red as a result of the red tide within the lake.