Lake Burgas (Bulgarian: Бургаско езеро, Burgasko ezero) or Lake Vaya (езеро Вая, ezero Vaya), located near the Black Sea west of the city of Burgas, is the largest natural lake in Bulgaria, with an area of 27.60 km2, a length of 9.6 km and a width of 2.5 to 5 km. It is up to 34 m deep.

Lake Burgas
Location of Lake Burgas in Bulgaria
Location of Lake Burgas in Bulgaria
Lake Burgas
LocationBulgarian Black Sea Coast
GroupBurgas Lakes
Coordinates42°30′N 27°24′E / 42.500°N 27.400°E / 42.500; 27.400
TypeBrackishwater
Basin countriesBulgaria
Max. length9.6 km (6.0 mi)
Max. width5 km (3.1 mi)
Surface area27.60 km2 (10.66 sq mi)
Max. depth34 m (112 ft)
Official nameVaya Lake
Designated11 November 2002
Reference no.1230[1]

The lake's waters contain relatively little salt (about 4-11‰). Lake Burgas is inhabited by a wide variety of species, including 23 fish, 60 invertebrates and 254 bird species (of which 61 are endangered in Bulgaria and 9 in the world).

An important fish-producing reservoir in the past, Lake Burgas lost much of its economic importance after the construction of the petrochemical plant near the city, but has witnessed an increasing number of species and decreasing pollution in recent years.

The Neftochim refinery seen from the other shore of the lake

References

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  1. ^ "Vaya Lake". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  • Michev, Nikolay; Tsvetko Mihaylov; Ivan Vaptsarov; Svetlin Kiradzhiev (1989). Geographical dictionary of Bulgaria. Sofia: Nauka i izkustvo.