About Rara

Rara Lake lies at an altitude of 2,990 m (9,810 ft) above sea level, has a water surface of 10.8 km2 (4.2 sq mi), a maximum depth of 167 m (548 ft), is 5.1 km (3.2 mi) long, and 2.7 km (1.7 mi) wide. It drains into the Mugu Karnali River via the Nijar River. Its water quality is characterized by high pH, conductivity, and total hardness. It has been classified as oligotrophic as it is slightly polluted. The lake holds three endemic fish species Nepalese snow trout (Schizothorax macrophthalmus), (S. nepalensis) and the Rara snow trout (S. paraenesis), and one endemic frog, Rara Lake frog (Nanorana Garcia). Winter visitor water birds such as gadwall (Anas Strepera), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), common teal (Anas crecca), tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), common golden eye (Bucephala clangula), common merganser (Mergus merganser), common coot (Fulica atra), and solitary snipe (Gallinago solitaria) reside and rest at this lake.