Mullutu-Suurlaht Explained

Mullutu-Suurlaht (also Mullutu Suurlaht) is a former lake in Estonia. It is located on the island of Saaremaa, about west of the town of Kuressaare. It had an area of 1440ha and its maximum depth was 2.1m (06.9feet).^[1] It was a brackish waterbody that has now become two separate lakes as a result of uplift and overgrowth:

• Suurlaht or Kellamäe Bay (et| Kellamäe laht; 531abbr=onNaNabbr=on) to the east,^[2] and
• Mullutu Bay (et|Mullutu laht) or Big Mullutu Bay (et|Suur Mullutu laht; 412.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on) to the west.^[3]

During regular flooding in spring (the usual rise is 0.75m (02.46feet), maximum 1.16abbr=onNaNabbr=on), the two lakes can merge with nearby Paadla, Vägara, and Kaalupea bays to create a temporary waterbody covering up to 3600ha. Suurlaht drains into Mullutu Bay via Kurgu Creek, and Mullutu Bay is drained by the 3km (02miles) Nasva River. Due to a strong connection with the sea through the Nasva River, the lakes are rich in fish. The main species include bleak, burbot, crucian carp, dace, eel, gudgeon, ide, perch, pike, ruffe, roach, rudd, and tench.^[1]

See also

• List of lakes of Estonia

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mullutu Suurlaht. eestigiid.ee. 1 June 2012. Estonian.
2. Web site: Suurlaht / Kellamäe laht. https://archive.today/20130213035342/http://loodus.keskkonnainfo.ee/webeelis/infoleht.aspx?obj=veekogu&id=-1640000269. dead. 13 February 2013. EELIS – Estonian Nature Infosystem. 1 June 2012. Estonian.
3. Web site: Mullutu laht. https://archive.today/20130213060824/http://loodus.keskkonnainfo.ee/webeelis/infoleht.aspx?obj=veekogu&id=-1428217350. dead. 13 February 2013. EELIS – Estonian Nature Infosystem. 1 June 2012. Estonian.