Hamun Lake

Hamun Lake refers to a system of shallow terminal lakes and seasonal wetlands in the Sistan Basin on the Iran-Afghanistan border, receiving inflow primarily from the Helmand River. The wetlands have historically supported fisheries, agriculture and migratory waterbirds.

The lake system is highly seasonal and its surface area changes with the hydrological regime of the basin, sometimes drying out in prolonged droughts and expanding in years with strong inflow. The pattern of wetlands, marshes and reed beds is the main ecological attraction rather than built infrastructure.

Historically the Hamun wetlands supported local communities and seasonal fisheries and were an important stopover for migratory birds. In recent decades the system has contracted at times because of upstream water use, damming and extended drought, altering habitat and human livelihoods.

The Hamun wetlands lie in the low-lying Sistan Basin in southeastern Iran and western Afghanistan. The area is remote and arid, with the nearest larger urban centres many tens to hundreds of kilometres away along the basin margins.

• Seasonal fluctuations: The lake system is seasonal and highly sensitive to upstream water flows and drought, so its extent varies dramatically between wet and dry years.
• Ecological note: The wetlands have been an important habitat for migratory birds and local livelihoods, but have experienced decline due to water diversion and prolonged drought in the basin.