#saveburdurlake

When you think of Turkey, you probably think of Istanbul, Cappadocia, or maybe Antalya. But there is a small and quiet city in Turkey — a place even many Turks themselves do not know, do not hear about, and sadly, do not pay enough attention to: Burdur. And now, this city needs you — it needs friends from all around the world — to hear its voice. Because with each passing day, a natural wonder hidden in this forgotten corner of the world, a home for flamingos, a place filled with people's dreams, hopes, and memories, is drying up and disappearing.

Burdur Lake is one of Turkey's largest and most important wetlands. But in recent years, it has been facing a serious threat: drying up. This situation not only affects the region’s ecological balance but also directly impacts the social and economic life of Burdur's people. Let’s take a closer look at the drama unfolding around Burdur Lake:

🌊 Why Is Burdur Lake Drying Up?

Several major reasons are behind the lake's decline:

Evaporation: Burdur Lake loses about 200 million tons of water every year, and a significant part of this loss is due to evaporation.

Agricultural and Livestock Water Use: Around 130 million tons of water are consumed for farming and livestock activities. Especially crops like corn and alfalfa, which require a lot of water, put extra pressure on water sources.

Dams and Ponds: Dams and ponds built on the streams that feed the lake block the water's natural flow. As more structures are built, the lake's water level keeps dropping dramatically.

Illegal Wells: Tens of thousands of legal and illegal wells in the area draw from underground water sources, disrupting the natural replenishment of the lake.

🛠️ Efforts Made So Far

Various initiatives have been launched to stop Burdur Lake’s disappearance:

Action Plan (2015): The Burdur Governorship introduced a plan focusing on controlled use of water resources, monitoring illegal wells, and transitioning to closed irrigation systems.

Research and Development Projects (2018): Turkey’s State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) launched an R&D project to reduce evaporation. Ideas like floating solar energy plants were explored, aiming both to generate electricity and minimize water loss.

Agricultural Transformation: Farmers were encouraged to switch to crops that consume less water, and modern, water-saving irrigation techniques replaced traditional flood irrigation.

However, despite these efforts, the results have not been as successful as hoped. There are a few reasons for this: First, Burdur is a small city, and unfortunately, it does not receive the attention and care it truly needs. Second, the projects often lack sufficient financial support. Third, the awareness campaigns fail to attract enough public interest or create a strong voice. Hear the voice of Burdur Lake. Raise the voice of Burdur Lake.

🔬 Scientists' Opinions

Dr. Erol Kesici, Science Advisor for the Turkish Society for the Conservation of Nature, emphasizes that the lake's decline is not only due to drought. According to him, dams and ponds blocking the feeder streams, illegal drilling, and environmental pollution around the lake are the real threats causing severe disruption to the ecosystem.

📉 Changes in Water Levels

Over the past 50 years, Burdur Lake has lost a staggering 17 meters in water level:

Water Capacity: Decreased by 55%.

Old Capacity: 7.5 billion tons.

Current Capacity: 3.4 billion tons.

🐦 Ecological Importance

Burdur Lake is protected under the Ramsar Convention and holds significant ecological value:

Migratory Birds: It is a critical stopover for many species, especially flamingos.

Endemic Species: The fish species Burduricus is found only in Burdur Lake, highlighting its unique ecosystem.

📢 Active Projects and Campaigns

Several projects and collaborations are still ongoing to save the lake:

Lisinia Nature Project: Based in Karakent Village, this project focuses on promoting water conservation and raising awareness about the lake’s shrinkage.

Governorship and NGO Collaborations: The Burdur Governorship works with various NGOs to monitor water sources and educate the public about the importance of lake conservation.

📉 Water Withdrawal Over Time

Water Level:

1971: 857.37 meters

January 2024: 837.35 meters

Surface Area:

1971: 17,998.210 hectares

2024: 12,059.85 hectares

Water Volume:

Currently: 3,575.33 hectometer cubic

🌿 Major Ongoing Projects

Conservation and Ecological Restoration of Drying Shorelines In April 2025, a workshop was hosted by Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) to create a detailed roadmap for shoreline conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable use. The workshop included key institutions like the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Burdur Governorship, MAKÜ, and the MAKÜ Salda Science Center.

Wastewater Treatment Plant and Energy Production Built through a partnership between the European Union, the European Investment Bank, ILBANK, and Burdur Municipality, this facility not only purifies the lake’s inflow but also processes active sludge to produce energy, reducing environmental impact and improving energy resilience.

Drought-Resistant Crop Farming Local farmers are encouraged to grow low-water-usage plants like lavender and thyme. This strategy supports sustainable agriculture while helping to conserve the lake's precious water.

✨ Conclusion