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.

Related
Heavy metals in tap water: how shelling is affecting the country’s water bodies
Heavy metals in tap water: how shelling is affecting the country’s water bodies

Significant pollution may make it necessary to cut off the water supply

In Kyiv, the condition of five water bodies is being restored using biological agents
In Kyiv, the condition of five water bodies is being restored using biological agents

The preliminary and final scientific analyses of the water samples have been identified as separate stages

The government must reach an agreement with the EU on postponing the CBAM for Ukraine — FRU
The government must reach an agreement with the EU on postponing the CBAM for Ukraine — FRU

This greenhouse gas emissions levy is causing significant losses in the steel and cement industries

Lakes Kytay and Katlabug in the Odesa region are being artificially replenished with water due to critical shallowing
Lakes Kytay and Katlabug in the Odesa region are being artificially replenished with water due to critical shallowing

The water level there is already considerably below the ‘dead’ level