Hanna Lake

Hanna Lake (Urdu: ہنہ جھيل) is a beautiful lake in the Urak Valley near the city of Quetta, in the Balochistan Province of southwestern Pakistan. The lake is surrounded by tall, green mountains, making it a peaceful and pretty place. People visit Hanna Lake to enjoy its calm waters and cool air. It is a special place for locals and travelers who like to relax in nature.

Geography

Hanna Lake is a beautiful spot in the hills near the start of the Urak Valley, about 17 kilometres east of Quetta city. The lake was created in 1894 when a reservoir was built there long ago. It is a popular place to visit, sitting between two mountains, and it helps store water for the area.

Features

Hanna Lake is a popular place in Balochistan. Families often visit for picnics by the lake. There is a restaurant with tables under pine trees. On the east side of the lake, you can find the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy. This is the only place in Balochistan where people can learn rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing.

History

In 1894, a small dam called Surrpull was built to help control flooding and guide water into Hanna Lake. At that time, the lake covered 818 acres and could hold over 220 million gallons of water.

In 1973, a big flood damaged a canal that brought water to the dam, and it has not been fixed yet. In May 2016, another big flood filled the dam with mud and stones, making it hard to keep water in the lake. Because of this, the lake's water level has been dropping.

Luckily, in February 2019, local workers helped clean out the dam. Since then, rain has brought more water to the lake, and the water level has gone up by 50%.

Establishment of (HDWSA)

In 1986, a well-known explorer named Hayatullah Khan Durrani started the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA) near Hanna Lake in Quetta. The academy opened on Pakistan’s Independence Day, August 14, 1986. It was the first place in Balochistan where young people could learn and enjoy sports like rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing. The academy offers these activities for free to help kids and gives them places to train and have events.

Hayatullah Khan Durrani also began a project to plant trees and protect the environment at the academy. This was done to honor the International Olympic Committee and to show friendship between Pakistani athletes and the world’s sports community. It helps make the world a healthier and more peaceful place.

1990 Hanna Lake boat disaster

On 6 July 1990, a boat on Hanna Lake flipped over. Some people were hurt, but a second boat helped everyone get to safety.

Present day

Hanna Lake needs some repairs. Since August 2016, the lake has been completely dry. This has been hard for the fish and for teams that practice canoeing, kayaking, and rowing because they can no longer use the lake for practice.

A water channel was built a long time ago by the British to help fill the lake with snow and rain water. But a big flood in 1976 destroyed this channel, and it has not been fixed yet. Because of this, the lake dried up completely between 1999 and January 2005. The government of Balochistan did not help to bring the water back, but groups like the HDWSA and the Hanna Lake Development Authority worked to restore the water flow.

From 2000 to 2010, the lake was dry and this caused trouble for local people and many birds.

In 2011, the lake filled up with water again, which helped plants and animals grow. The lake’s beautiful blue water looks great against the brown hills. Visitors can walk on the terraces around the lake or rent a boat to paddle on the water and see the island in the middle.