History of Science and Engineering Annotation << Back HISTORY OF THE TURALY LAKES OF DAGESTAN: TWO APPROACHES TO NATURAL RESOURCES S.I. Shaporenko, A.M. Abdurashidov The article investigates the anthropogenic prerequisites for the current deterioration of the ecological state of the Turaly lakes, associated with the drying up and loss of signs of water bodies. We use the results of our investigations with the involvement of scientific publications, research reports of various organizations, cartographic materials and satellite images. Analysis of the history of lake development has shown that the original natural state of the lakes in the form of dry and poorly moistened marine lagoons, from which they are formed, is the most stable. The use of reservoirs for salt-mines in the 1930s did not lead to significant environmental consequences for their ecosystems. The decision, taken in the middle of the twentieth century, to use lakes for fish farming must be recognized as erroneous, at least for the lake Great Turaly. Current trends in climatic characteristics as well as economic transformations of catchments lead to an increase in the deficit of moisture balance and an even sharper restriction of the possibilities of water supply of lakes. The main threat to the loss of relict lagoons is associated with the disorderly use of the coasts for country-cottage and housing construction. Keywords: Lagoon, lake, watershed, dry out reservoir, salt-mines, fish farming, moisture balance. DOI: 10.25791/intstg.8.2021.1303 Pp. 25-36.