Lake Saroma (サロマ湖, Saroma-ko), also Saroma Lagoon,[1] is a coastal lagoon (hence a body of brackish water) in Saroma, Kitami, and Yūbetsu. It is located in Abashiri Quasi-National Park. By area, the lake is the third largest in Japan and the largest in Hokkaidō.

Lake Saroma
Saroma Lagoon
サロマ湖 (Japanese)
Overlooking Lake Saroma
Lake Saroma is located in Japan
Lake Saroma
Lake Saroma
LocationOkhotsk, Hokkaidō, Japan
Coordinates44°10′N 143°43′E / 44.167°N 143.717°E / 44.167; 143.717
TypeMesotrophic
Primary outflowsSea of Okhotsk
Catchment area618 km2 (239 sq mi)
Basin countriesJapan
Surface area150 km2 (37,000 acres)
Average depth8.7 m (29 ft)
Max. depth19.5 m (64 ft)
Water volume1.3 km3 (0.31 cu mi)
Shore length182.4 km (51.2 mi)
Surface elevation0 m (0 ft)
FrozenDecember to March
Islandsnone
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

The name comes from the Ainu place name Saruomahetsu, meaning "place of many Miscanthus reeds and rushes".[2]

Another nearby coastal lagoon is Notoro Lagoon, about 15 km (9.3 mi) to the east.

References

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  1. ^ Japan, the New Official Guide. Japan Travel Bureau. 1966. p. 1046. To the NW of Lake Abashiri lie the Notoro Lagoon (32 km in circumference and 58 sq km in area) and the Saroma Lagoon (72 km in circumference and 149 sq km in area).
  2. ^ Akagi Sanpei (赤木 三兵), Journey of Hokkaidō Place Names—Notes on Ainu Language Place Names (北海道 地名の旅—アイヌ語地名解, Hokkaidō Chimei no Tabi — Ainugo Chimei Kai), page 56
  • SAROMA-KO, World Lakes Database, International Lake Environment Committee