The water level of Lake Tisza has fallen below 700 centimetres at the upper gauge at Kisköre. According to the Central Tisza Valley Water Directorate, the drop is due to an extreme lack of rainfall in the Tisza catchment area, exceptionally low river inflows and increased evaporation.
Lake Tisza exists because of irrigated arable farming
Water management specialists are working to preserve the available water resources while also meeting agricultural and ecological water demands, the water transfer in the Körös valley and the water supply for the stretch of the Tisza below Kisköre.
Lake Tisza is not a natural lake, but an artificial reservoir created in the Tisza floodplain. Its creation is linked to the Kisköre barrage, construction of which began in the late 1960s, while its hydroelectric equipment was completed by 1974. The dam primarily serves water storage, irrigation and water management tasks, while the resulting water surface has over time become home to an exceptionally rich ecosystem. The roughly 127-square-kilometre lake is fed by the Tisza, and its water level is influenced by the river’s flow and the operating regime of the water authorities.
Numerous tourism developments
In recent years, significant tourism developments have also taken place in the region. In Tiszafüred, the Lake Tisza Cycling Centre and the Tiszafüred–Poroszló cycle bridge were built, the open-water beach was renovated, and in 2024 new visitor attractions, including the Kérész Centre, also opened. Altogether 17 projects were carried out in the region in 2024, affecting tourist attractions, infrastructure and ecological conditions alike. A further 300 million forint development has also begun at Tiszafüred beach, including, among other things, a water playground, a cycling track and new services.
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Today, Lake Tisza is a favourite destination for cyclists, water tourists, anglers and swimmers. The cycle route around the lake can be completed safely, while visitors can discover the reeds, islands and channels on boat and canoe trips. In addition to swimming, there are opportunities for nature watching and fishing. The current drop in water level is therefore an important issue not only for water management, but also for tourism.
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