Puttalam Lagoon
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The Puttalam Lagoon is a large 327 km2 (126 sq mi) lagoon in the Puttalam District, western Sri Lanka.
Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...
Puttalam Lagoon | |
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Location | Puttalam |
Coordinates | 08°06′N 79°46′E |
Primary inflows | Kala Oya Mi Oya |
Basin countries | Sri Lanka |
Max. length | 28 km (17 mi) |
Max. width | 12 km (7 mi) |
Surface area | 327 km2 (126 sq mi) |
Average depth | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
Max. depth | 5 m (16.4 ft) |
Surface elevation | Sea level |
References | [1][2] |
Close
The lagoon is fed by two rivers, namely the Kala Oya and Mi Oya, discharging at 2.2 m3/s (77.7 cu ft/s) and 8.1 m3/s (286.0 cu ft/s) respectively. It is linked to Mundal Lagoon 15 km (9.3 mi) to the south by a channel. The lagoon's water is brackish to saline.
The lagoon is surrounded by a region containing coconuts, open forests, grasslands and shrublands. The land is used for prawn fishing, salt production, and rice cultivation.[3] The lagoon has extensive mangroves, seagrasses and some salt marshes, attracting a wide variety of anatidae.