The situation at Lake Velence is becoming increasingly alarming: due to the prolonged drought and lack of rainfall, the lake is short about 20 million cubic meters of water.
According to experts, natural processes alone may no longer be sufficient to restore the balance, which is why solutions that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago are now being considered.
At the end of May, the water level in Lake Velence was just 65 centimeters, while the ideal regulatory level ranges between 140 and 170 centimeters. The situation not only severely impacts tourism and the local economy but also threatens the lake’s entire ecological system.
Critical years are becoming increasingly common
Low water levels have occurred before in the history of Lake Velence; in fact, according to old records, it dried up completely centuries ago. In recent years, however, a critical situation has developed almost continuously.
According to experts, the cause for concern is not that water levels are occasionally low, but that extreme water shortages have become a regular occurrence in recent years.
Lake Velence’s water balance is persistently negative: evaporation draws more water than is replenished by precipitation or natural inflows. Due to the low water levels, beachgoers, sailors, and anglers face more difficult conditions, while local restaurants and tourism businesses suffer significant revenue losses.
Wildlife is also at risk
According to Pénzcentrum, however, the problems extend far beyond tourism. As a result of the prolonged water shortage, the condition of the reed beds is deteriorating, shrubbery is beginning to take over the drying riverbeds, and there is less and less space left for waterfowl and fish.
Experts also warn that shallower water warms up faster, which promotes algae blooms. In the long term, this can further degrade water quality and may even lead to fish kills.
The lake has been saved once before
This is not the first time Lake Velence has needed a water replenishment. A severe water shortage also occurred in the early 1990s, when the water level dropped dramatically over the course of a few years. The problem was addressed at the time by diverting water from the Rákhegy karst aquifer. More than 12 million cubic meters of water were fed into Lake Velence, resulting in a rise in water level of about half a meter.
However, this method would be much more difficult to implement today, as the affected water sources play an increasingly important role in supplying drinking water to the population, while available reserves have also decreased.
Renovating the reservoirs could be the first step
According to experts, the most important short-term task is the modernization of the Zámolyi and Pátkai reservoirs. These facilities play a key role in water retention, but their condition has deteriorated significantly.
Plans include removing sediment, renovating the structures, and imposing stricter regulations on activities that threaten water quality. The goal is to ensure that water collected during rainy periods can flow more efficiently into Lake Velence.
Wastewater, deep wells, or the Danube?
If local water retention alone is insufficient, several alternative solutions could be considered. One option would be to recycle properly treated water generated at the region’s wastewater treatment plants, as reported by Telex’s G7.
The facilities in Agárd and Csákvár discharge several million cubic meters of treated water annually, which currently leaves the watershed. The solution is technologically feasible, but significant public opposition is expected.
The construction of deep wells has also been proposed, but the use of karst water resources is currently restricted by strict regulations, as these primarily serve drinking water supply purposes.
The Danube, however, could provide the largest volume of water. The shortfall could be made up using water from the river, either through bank-filtered wells or direct water extraction. This, however, would require the construction of an entirely new infrastructure: pipelines tens of kilometers long, pumping stations, and water treatment systems would be needed.
HUF billions in investments and difficult decisions await Lake Velence
Both diverting water from the Danube and using treated wastewater would entail significant investment costs, and they also raise environmental and legal issues.
According to experts, detailed studies are needed for every possible solution to ensure that the intervention does not cause further problems in the region’s ecological system. However, there is growing consensus that the current situation is unsustainable in the long term.
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The question is no longer whether to intervene
According to experts, the most important question regarding the future of Lake Velence is no longer whether artificial water replenishment is necessary, but which solution will prove to be the safest and most sustainable.
Due to climate change, dry periods are expected to become increasingly frequent, so saving the lake is not just a local issue but also a long-term water management challenge. Decisions made in the coming years could determine whether one of Hungary’s most popular recreational lakes will be able to adapt to the new conditions or whether the crisis will deepen further.
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