Lake Mellah is a saltwater lake situated within the boundaries of El Kala National Park in El Taref Province, Algeria. It was designated a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance) on September 12, 2004, under the Ramsar Convention.
Location and Physical Characteristics
Lake Mellah is located in northeastern Algeria, between the city of El Kala and the Algeria–Tunisia border. Its coordinates are approximately 36°53′39″N 8°19′33″E. The lake is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via a narrow canal that passes through a series of dunes over a distance of approximately 900 meters. It is the only lagoon in Algeria that communicates directly with the sea.
The lake covers an area of approximately 2,257 hectares, with an average depth of about 3 meters and a maximum depth of about 6 meters. In addition to the lake itself, the site encompasses a small brackish river delta and a small temporary freshwater lagoon fed by rain and groundwater, surrounded by a set of dunes.
Climate
The climate of the region is classified as Mediterranean, with an average annual temperature of approximately 18.9 degrees Celsius. The dry season extends for about four months. The lowest temperatures occur in January and the highest in August. Precipitation is greatest in the fall and winter, with the lowest levels in summer. Average annual precipitation exceeds 700 millimeters.
Biodiversity
Lake Mellah serves as a conduit for biological life due to its dual exchange with the surrounding watershed and the sea via the canal. The delta is home to plant species such as Salicornia and Juncus. The lake's high salinity supports a diversity of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish, and it serves as a nursery site for fish species including northern wolffish, sole, salema porgy, and sand steenbras.
The site is frequented by a variety of avian and reptilian species attracted by abundant food sources. It provides habitat for waterbirds such as the great cormorant, the great crested grebe, and the tufted duck. The local population also engages in the cultivation of peanuts in the surrounding area.
Conservation Status
Lake Mellah is one of three lakes within El Kala National Park—alongside Lake Tonga and Lake Oubeira—that have been designated as wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar Convention. The site is recognized for its importance to waterbirds, which use it as a staging and resting site during migration and for feeding on abundant supplies of fish, invertebrates, and bivalves.
