Lake Kari (Aragats Mountain)

Region

Aragatsotn

Distance from Yerevan

59.9 km

Type

Lake

Kari Lake is located in the Aragatsotn Province, on Mount Aragats, at an altitude of about 3200 meters above sea level. It is one of the many high-mountain lakes of Aragats. The surface area of the lake is approximately 0.3 sq. km, and its maximum depth is about 9 meters. The Arkashen River originates from the western shore of Kari Lake. On the southern shore of the lake operates the Aragats Cosmic Ray Research Station, founded in 1942 during the Soviet Union era, at the initiative of scientists Artem Alikhanyan and Abraham Alikhanov. The station was established based on the Physics Research Center and still operates today, conducting research on cosmic rays. The lake also serves as the water supply source for the station. For this purpose, the southern outflow of the lake has been dammed with a concrete wall, raising the water level and creating the necessary water reserve to meet the station’s needs throughout the year.