Tolbo Lake

Tolbo soum of Bayan-Ölgii Province is located 75 km from the provincial center, and Tolbo Lake lies 5 km from the center of Tolbo soum. This lake is one of the major freshwater lakes of the Mongolian Altai range. It is surrounded by bare mountain ranges with high cliffs and rocky outcrops. Tolbo Lake has several small islands, the largest of which is Gichgen Tolgoi. The lake is fed by more than ten rivers and streams flowing from mountain valleys and releases excess water through the Turgen River into the Khovd River, although during dry periods it has no outflow. Nevertheless, the lake has very fresh water. Many species of birds, including waterfowl eagles, peregrine falcons, whooper swans, shelducks, cranes, and cormorants or black geese, migrate to Tolbo Lake for the summer. The lake is also rich in fish such as Altai osman and Mongolian grayling.