Below dead level: Lake Katlabug in Odesa region is being forcibly filled with water

Below dead level: Lake Katlabug in Odesa region is being forcibly filled with water shutterstock
Maria Semenova

The authorities are concerned about the potential consequences for ecosystems and water management

Сomplex hydrological conditions combined with the drop in the water level of the Danube have led to a critical situation at Lake Katlabuh in the Izmail district. To prevent further drying of the reservoir, powerful pumps are forcibly transferring water into it.

This was reported by the Izmail District State Administration.

Critical Drying

The water level in the lake is critical. As of August 10, it has dropped 4 cm below the dead storage level.

This threatens catastrophic consequences not only for the aquatic ecosystem of the Danube region. The drying of the reservoir may complicate water supply for the population as well as the provision of water for agricultural needs.

Start of Works

To refill Katlabuh with water, equipment from the pumping station of the Izmail Water Management Administration is being used. All work is funded by the State Fisheries Agency.

The administration hopes that these measures will stabilize the lake's water level. As a result, risks to the local ecosystem and the satisfaction of water management needs should be eliminated.

As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine decided to implement emergency measures in the south of Ukraine back in May of this year.

At present, a catastrophic decline in water levels in water bodies is being recorded across Europe. Ukraine is no exception. Overall, in our country, about 30% of rivers have disappeared over the past 30 years.

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