One of the most important natural wonders in Hungary is in grave danger

The third-largest lake in Hungary, Lake Velence, is dying. Due to extreme water levels, massive fish and bird deaths, and uneven rainfall, Lake Velence has been in the news recently. Due to the destruction of wildlife, many are thinking of deteriorating water quality, but the water quality of Lake Velence remains good. With the help of Dr Tibor Bíró, Dean of the Faculty of Water Sciences of the National University of Public Administration, we’ll showcase the situation of Lake Velence.

Dr Tibor Bíró told Napi that the Pátka and Zámoly reservoirs help to regulate the water level of Lake Velence. The catchment area of Lake Velence is more than 600 square kilometres. However, the water of the lake depends mainly on the precipitation that falls on the catchment areas. 

The low water level can be attributed to the low rainfall.

Although precipitation has not decreased significantly over the past 30 years, average temperatures have risen significantly.  Higher temperatures bring more evaporation and leakage. Unfortunately, this is a self-perpetuating process. After all, the lower the water level, the easier it is to heat up and evaporate.

Hungary’s third largest lake is in great trouble!

However, there is no complaint about the water quality of Lake Velence. The mass fish mortality experienced in the summer was probably due to a lack of oxygen; however, studies have not yet fully supported this theory. “The relatively sudden rise in temperature, the concomitant decrease in oxygen concentration, and the coincidence of the spawning period may have caused a state of stress that led to fish death,” said Dr Tibor Bíró.

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Recently a recreational fisherman with a kayak sent reports to Pecaverzum about the strange behavior of grass carps. According to the angler, many of them were near the surface and some of them around the rocks on their backs in bad shape even though they were quite sizeable. The strange thing is that they did not try to gasp for air, which would indicate low levels of oxygen.

They almost seemed to be in agony.

Water level change is a natural process.

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According to the expert, tourism and private investments on the coast do not endanger the water level. The best solution would be a complete reconstruction of the Pátka and Zámoly reservoirs. After the renovation, a larger and better quality water mass can be retained. According to Fmc’s information, the reduced amount of water is being replenished from the Zámoly reservoir.

Source: napi.hu, fmc.hu