Kumisi Lake

Kumisi Lake (Georgian: კუმისის ტბა) is an artificial lake in eastern Georgia, in Gardabani municipality, in Kvemo Kartli area, southeast of Kumisi village. It used to be a lake, now it is a reservoir.[1] The village of New Kumis is located on the southern shore of the lake, and the railway station is located nearby.[2]

Kumisi Lake is located in the basin of the same name between Yagluji plateau and Tsalaskuri plain, at an altitude of 475 m above sea level. Surface area 5.4 km², basin area 97 km², stretching 3.2 km from west to east, 2 km from north to south. Maximum depth 4 m.[3]

In the 1960s, the area of the lake was only 0.48 km², and its depth reached 50 cm.[4] Before the lake was expanded, its water was bitter-salty. Until 1967, there was salt water seeping from the rocks. In 1967, a large-scale project was implemented – salt water was drained from the lake and two canals were attached. An irrigation canal from the lake was made.[5]

The lake is fed by rainwater and small streams. Currently, it is supplied with water from the Mtkvari River through an artificial channel and water pumps. The reservoir is used for irrigation.[1] The bottom of the lake is covered with sulphide mud with curative properties. Kumisi mud is actively used in the balneological resort of Tbilisi.[6]