“Sudochie” is translated from the Karakalpak language as “fresh water,” but the water of this lake nowadays is not fresh, but bitterly salty. In the past, it was fed by the channels of the Amu Darya and connected to the Aral Sea. Water surface area reached 350 km², while its length reached 250 km with an average width of 15 km and an average depth of 2 m.
The first settlements in the vicinity of Lake Sudochie appeared in the 9th century. And already at the end of the 19th century, on the western coast of the lake, right on the cape of the same name, under the wall of the Ustyurt plateau, the settlement of Urga appeared. It was a fishing village where mainly Russian settlers lived. Up to 2 thousand tons of fish per year were caught here. In the 1950-1970s, due to the blocking of the channels of the Amu Darya River for irrigation, the flow of water into the lake decreased significantly. Since 1968, the shallowed lake has broken up into separate reservoirs. Due to the decrease in the level of the Aral Sea and the cessation of river flow, in 1972 the area of the lake decreased by 4 times and amounted to 96 km². The Urga settlement existed for about 100 years, and the last resident left his home in 1971. Industrial fish production has ceased. Today on the cape you can see the ruins of a medieval lighthouse.
Later, thanks to the redirection of drainage water from the Amu Darya, Lake Sudochie was restored. In 1991, the “Sudochie” ornithological reserve was organized here. On the site of the former large lake, 4 reservoirs were formed: “Akushpa”, “Begdulla-Aidyn”, “Karateren” and “Bolshoye Sudochie”. In 2008, the Sudochye lake system received the status of the most important ornithological territory of the State Unitary Enterprise “Muynok Aqua Sanoat”.
Accelerated climate warming and declining water resources greatly threaten small, shallow lakes and associated them birds, fish and mammals. As part of the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan №PP-4247 dated March 20, 2019 “On measures to improve the public administration system in the field of specially protected natural areas”, on February 8, 2021, the “Sudochie-Akpetki” State Nature Reserve was created in the Muynak district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan as an environmental institution with a total area of 280,507 hectares.
The purpose of creating the “Sudochie-Akpetki” reserve is to restore and preserve the local ecosystem and rare species of animals of the former Akpetki archipelago and Sudochie Bay, which were part of the Aral Sea. The tasks of the reserve workers include monitoring the biodiversity of the Akpetki and Sudochie lake systems, protecting coastal landscapes, canals, collectors, their watercourses and fighting poachers.
The territory of the reserve consists of large shallow fresh and salt lakes adjacent to the Ustyurt plateau, dense reed thickets and saline, wetlands planted with saxaul. The average water depth in the lakeт system is 1.5 meters. In summer, the water temperature reaches 25-27 degrees Celsius; in winter, the lake system is covered with ice.
The water area of the “Sudochie-Akpetki” lake system determines its high biological diversity, which ensures its unique beauty. It is home to 25 species of animals, more than 117 species of birds, of which 15 species are endangered. Wetlands are important for the conservation of globally threatened migratory waterfowl. Among the birds living on the lake and the Ustyurt plateau, 20 species are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the IUCN Red List. Among them: white duck, pink flamingo, Dalmatian pelican, pink pelican, little cormorant, bustard, mute swan, herons, golden eagles and other birds. Among the reptiles: the Central Asian gray monitor lizard and the Central Asian desert tortoise. Among the Red Book fish, we can highlight the Turkestan barbel and the Aral white-eye.
The lake-forest faunal complex “Akpetki” is characterized by 10 species of mammals and 19 species of birds. The desert ecosystem is home to 26 species of mammals, 21 species of birds and 22 species of reptiles. 18 species of rare and endangered vertebrates, such as saiga, goitered gazelle, Turkmen caracal and Turkmen kulan have been recorded on the territory.
The territory of the “Sudochie” ornithological reserve has long been a breeding and resting place for migratory birds from India and other countries. In spring, a variety of waterfowl come here. They nest on reeds and feed on fish, frogs, aquatic and coastal vegetation. The waters of the “Sudochie” lake system are inhabited by carp, crucian carp, silver carp, pike perch, roach, snakehead and others.
For pink flamingos, the “Sudochie” lake system is a nesting site. The main food of these beautiful birds is small red brine shrimp and their eggs, mollusks, insect larvae and worms. Flamingos arrive in March and fly away in November.
Pink and Dalmatian pelicans are also protected migratory birds. They arrive at the lakes in April - early May. Birds gather in colonies in reed thickets. They feed on fish living in the shallow lakes of the reserve.
Thanks to the efforts of international natural organizations and the authorities of Uzbekistan, the “Sudochie” lake system has not turned into a desert. Today it is a real oasis in the desert. A visit to the lakes and the village of Urga is included in many tour programs to the Aral Sea. In 2022, observation platforms and gazebos were built on the shores of the lake system for easy observation of the natural landscape and birds.
The “Sudochie” lake system is a decoration of the nature of Central Asia. It has become a local center of “wild” tourism due to its location on the migration route of migratory birds and its distance from populated areas. You can’t count on amenities and entertainment here, but incredible views, bird colonies and complete privacy, harmony and tranquility are guaranteed!
In 2023, the reserve was included in the list of the Ramsar Convention, which protects wetlands around the world.