Ira Lalaro: Difference between revisions
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Geography and geology== |
==Geography and geology== |
||
The lake has a water spread area of 1, |
The lake has a water spread area of 1, ha. |
||
It is located in the basin bounded by the [[Paitchau Mountain]]s, within the [[Lospalos plateau]], has [[karst]]ic formations of [[limestone]]s in the region which is reflected in its typical geological feature comprising the “large poljes, collapse [[dolines]], [[sinkholes]], blind [[valleys]], [[karren]], [[caves]] and [[springs]]. The Irasiquero River, which originates from the Ira Lalaru lake disappears in the main sink hole, the Mainina, about 3.5 km downstream of the lake outlet, and does not re-appear; tracer studies indicating that the underground route of water flow leads to the coast. The lake basin is surrounded by tropical dry forest which is of biodiversity value and also human settlements within it and forms a protected area.<ref name=Power>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laohamutuk.org/Oil/LNG/Refs/115Iralalauro.pdf|format=pdf|title=Report of Findings on the Proposed Iralalaro Hydro-ElectricPower Scheme, Timor-Leste|accessdate=27 July 2013|publisher= Haburas Foundation and the Australian Conservation Foundation}}</ref> |
|||
==Hydropower development== |
|||
A hydropower project has been planned to develop the hydropower potential of the lake and its Irasiquero River. Several technical and environment studies have been carried out to establish the feasibility of the project. The waters of the lake are proposed to be diverted through a 4.558 km long tunnel cum pipeline leading an underground power station to generate 189 [[GWh]] annually with 56 MW (two units of 28 MW capacity each) capacity. The head created for power generation would be 318 metres. The power is proposed to be evacuated through a 132 Kv high-voltage transmission line linking [[Lospalos]], [[Baucau]], [[Manatuto]] and [[Dili]].<ref name=Hydro>{{Cite web|url=http://hydrotimor.com/iralalaru/flowing.html|title=Flowing Water, Brighter Future|accessdate=27 July 2013|publisher=Hydrotimor.com}}</ref> A runoff the river scheme orinating from the lake is considered technically feasible as any storage created by constructing a dam at the mouth of the lake would disappear in the karstic formations of the area. It is also reported from the environmental impact assessment studies that any dewatering of the lake would have adverse impact on the [[stygofauna]] below the Mainina sinkhole.<ref name=Power/> |
|||
==Biodiversity== |
==Biodiversity== |
||
Revision as of 15:08, 28 July 2013
| Ira Lalaro | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 8°27′0″S 127°8′0″E / 8.45000°S 127.13333°E |
| Primary outflows | Irasiquero River |
| Basin countries | East Timor |
| Max. length | 6.5 km (4.0 mi) |
| Max. width | 3 km (1.9 mi) |
| Surface area | 2.2 km2 (0.85 sq mi) |
| Surface elevation | 318 m (1,043 ft) |
| Settlements | Mehara, Malahara, Poros, Muapitine |
Lake Ira Lalaro (also Iralalaro, Ira-Lalaro, Surubec, Suro Bec) is a waterway in Mehara, Subdistrict Tutuala, Lautém District of East Timor.[1] It is the largest freshwater lake on the island of Timor.[2] The lake is part of the Monte Paitchau Important Bird Area.[3] The lake waters and that of Irasiquero River are a closed aquatic system; they lie within a huge polje. The surface water area fluctuation varies from 10–55 square kilometres (3.9–21.2 sq mi) while the authigenic catchment area measures 406 square kilometres (157 sq mi).[4]
Geography and geology
The lake has a water spread area of 1,900 ha and is in the far east of the Timor Leste island.[5]
It is located in the basin bounded by the Paitchau Mountains, within the Lospalos plateau, has karstic formations of limestones in the region which is reflected in its typical geological feature comprising the “large poljes, collapse dolines, sinkholes, blind valleys, karren, caves and springs. The Irasiquero River, which originates from the Ira Lalaru lake disappears in the main sink hole, the Mainina, about 3.5 km downstream of the lake outlet, and does not re-appear; tracer studies indicating that the underground route of water flow leads to the coast. The lake basin is surrounded by tropical dry forest which is of biodiversity value and also human settlements within it and forms a protected area.[6]
Hydropower development
A hydropower project has been planned to develop the hydropower potential of the lake and its Irasiquero River. Several technical and environment studies have been carried out to establish the feasibility of the project. The waters of the lake are proposed to be diverted through a 4.558 km long tunnel cum pipeline leading an underground power station to generate 189 GWh annually with 56 MW (two units of 28 MW capacity each) capacity. The head created for power generation would be 318 metres. The power is proposed to be evacuated through a 132 Kv high-voltage transmission line linking Lospalos, Baucau, Manatuto and Dili.[7] A runoff the river scheme orinating from the lake is considered technically feasible as any storage created by constructing a dam at the mouth of the lake would disappear in the karstic formations of the area. It is also reported from the environmental impact assessment studies that any dewatering of the lake would have adverse impact on the stygofauna below the Mainina sinkhole.[6]
Biodiversity
The biodiversity of the lake aquatic system (wetland ecosystem) including the Irasiquero River which originates from the lake indicates fish species of Craterocephalus. The forest area is largely undisturbed.[6]
In the absence of continuous surface water flow, the invertebrates found in the lake and in the river consist of macroinvertebrate belonging to 57 families but sans decapod crustaceans.
The basin area is home for globally threatened birds such as the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (critically endangered) and 16 species of bats (cave roosters) which account for 90% of all species; some of the bat species reported are fruit bat (Rousettus amplexicaudatus) (Geoffroy's rousette), Canut's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus canuti), and Hipposideros sumbae.[6]
The estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), (about 200-500) is also found in the lake. It is not hunted by local people as it is their a totem animal. McCord's Long-necked Turtle Chelodina mccordii is also reported from the lake and the river.[6]
Gallery
-
Tutuala Subdistrict -
Cryptelytrops insularis snake in the lake's floodplain
References
- ^ Miksic, John Norman; Goh, Geok Yian; Connor, Sue O (2011). Rethinking Cultural Resource Management in Southeast Asia: Preservation, Development, and Neglect. Anthem Press. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-0-85728-389-4.
- ^ Asian Perspectives. University Press of Hawaii. 2005. p. 196. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "TL07 - Important Bird Areas factsheet: Monte Paitchau (proposed Conis Santana National Park)". BirdLife International. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ White, Susan; White, Nicholas; Middleton, Greg (2006). "Report of findings on the proposed Iralalaro hydro-electric power scheme, Timor-Leste" (PDF). Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ {{Cite web|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/geography/Congo-Democratic-Republic-of-the-to-India/East-Timor.html |title= East Timor|accessdate=27 July 2013|publisher=Encyclopedia of the Nations})
- ^ a b c d e "Report of Findings on the Proposed Iralalaro Hydro-ElectricPower Scheme, Timor-Leste" (pdf). Haburas Foundation and the Australian Conservation Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "Flowing Water, Brighter Future". Hydrotimor.com. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
External links
 | This East Timor location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |