Boat traffic is now a thing of the past on Lake Velence, one of Hungary’s most popular holiday destinations and a long-standing tourist haven, which has hosted major events such as the EFOTT music festival. The lake is currently experiencing one of the most critical periods in its history: there is a real possibility that its continuous surface will fragment in several places this summer, with some areas drying out entirely. This stark reality has now been demonstrated in dramatic fashion by the president of the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club, who, following careful preparation, simply walked across it.
Summer favourite Lake Velence in peril
Lake Velence is facing an unprecedented crisis. On Saturday evening, a new negative record was recorded at Agárd, where water levels fell to just 52 centimetres — one centimetre below the previous low set in 2022. The figure underscores the severity of the water shortage affecting Hungary’s third-largest natural lake.
The extraordinary situation was illustrated by Gábor Dezső Kürti (alias Kükü), chairman of the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club, who undertook a weekend crossing of the lake. The feat was not an act of recklessness but one of careful planning. Using a self-made measuring rod and GPS-based data recording, he surveyed the lakebed to determine whether a safe route existed. His findings showed an average water depth of 110 centimetres along the chosen stretch, with between 15 and 30 centimetres of soft mud in places. He towed a kayak alongside him and wore neoprene footwear and a life jacket in case of sudden drops or becoming stuck in the silt.
Although he completed the crossing successfully, he warned others against attempting it. Parts of the lake can still reach depths exceeding a person’s height, and the mud can easily trap the unprepared. “No one should set off lightly,” he cautioned.
Why is the water level so low?
The current record has not emerged overnight. As early as the end of May, Hungary’s National Directorate General for Water Management warned of a severe nationwide water shortage, driven by an alarming lack of rainfall. Lake Velence is particularly vulnerable to such conditions: as a shallow body of water, it reacts quickly to reduced precipitation, while summer heat accelerates evaporation. Crucially, it lacks a natural water replenishment system.
The gravity of the situation is reflected in recent decisions: sightseeing boat services have been suspended, and the University Canoe Sprint World Championships will no longer be held at the Lake Velence centre — named after Katalin Kovács and built at a cost of 51 billion forints — but relocated to Szeged. According to 444.hu, the same sum could have funded a comprehensive water replenishment solution.
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What can be done to save the lake?
In early June, the government pledged special legislation to rescue Lake Velence, at a time when water levels still stood at 66 centimetres. Experts, however, warn that long-term preservation cannot be achieved through emergency measures alone.
The priority lies in improving water retention across the catchment area, preserving rainfall locally, and developing systems to ensure sustainable replenishment. One potential option under consideration is diverting water from the Danube. What is beyond doubt is that the region’s tourism and economy are already suffering, with knock-on effects including falling property values. Local residents are therefore justified in expecting decisive government intervention.
Click and check out Kürti’s shocking timelapse video.
Click for more Lake Velence news.
Featured image: Gábor Dezső Kürti after the walk.
This is the fourth, fifth(?) time in about a week we’re hearing about this. We get it. We got it. Even Karacsony doesn’t crawl out from under his rock to whine about Budapest going bankrupt this often.
Didn’t pretty much the entire modern Hungary use to be a sea once upon a time?
Bodies of water come and go.