Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in the “Lake Eğirdir Water Action Plan Explanation, Consultation and Evaluation Meeting” he attended in Eğirdir district, emphasized that the lake has strategic importance with its ecosystem, contribution to agricultural production and water potential. Minister Yumaklı stated that the reality of global climate is being faced and that Türkiye, especially the regions located in the Mediterranean belt, are affected by this situation. He explained that the depth of Lake Eğirdir has decreased from 10 meters to 11 meters in the last 6 years and its volume has decreased by 55 percent to 1,8 billion cubic meters.
Current Situation of Lake Eğirdir and Effects of Climate Change
Minister Yumaklı stated that the temperature increase in Lake Eğirdir Basin has reached 5 degrees Celsius in the last 1,1 years, while the decrease in average precipitation is at the level of 18 percent. He emphasized that while the amount of flow entering the lake last year was 372 million cubic meters, the amount of evaporation reached 473 million cubic meters, and more water evaporated than entered the lake.
Yumaklı stated that they have carried out many activities to improve Lake Eğirdir and its basin from the past to the present, and noted that with the Yılanlı Derivation, which was put into service in 1990, a total of 2,2 billion cubic meters of water has been transferred to the lake to date, and that the irrigation works of nearly 120 thousand decares of land in the basin with a modern system have been completed.
Eğirdir Lake Water Action Plan: 13 Main Headings, 31 Sub-Headings
Minister Yumaklı for Lake Eğirdir 13 main headings and 31 subheadings They announced that they have completed the “Eğirdir Lake Water Action Plan”. The three main strategic objectives of the plan are as follows:
Using water more efficiently and fairly: Conversion of existing open irrigation areas to closed irrigation systems and gradual transition to a crop pattern that consumes less water.
Managing groundwater and surface water on a scientific basis: The construction tender for transferring 42 million cubic meters of water annually from the Aksu Basin to increase lake nutrition in addition to the existing Yılanlı Derivation will be held on July 8. Unregistered wells will be identified, those that are not needed will be closed and suitable ones will be included in the current irrigation system.
Protecting the natural balance and ecosystem: Fishing should be done by taking into account invasive species and protecting endemic fish species.
Minister Yumaklı, in the lake basin For the first time, software studies on effective water management using artificial intelligence announced that they will start. In addition, following the bottom cleaning to be carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, structural measures will be taken to prevent the flow of mud and similar materials back into the lake.
Big Investment and Similar Plans for Other Lakes
Yumaklı stated that they are carrying out studies to improve urban, agricultural and industrial water efficiency within the scope of the water efficiency mobilization, and said that within the scope of this action plan, The total amount of investment to be made between 2025-2030 is 21 billion liras announced that it would happen. It was stated that thanks to these investments, 6 million cubic meters of water corresponding to Isparta's 150-year drinking-usage water needs will be saved in just 1 year. It was emphasized that the plan will increase the amount of water in the lake and ensure its level rises, protect underground waters, increase the water quality of the lake and protect its ecosystem. It was also stated that agricultural production will be guaranteed in the production of products such as apples, cherries, apricots, peaches and almonds in the region.
Minister Yumaklı drew attention to the importance of the project by saying, “Protecting Lake Eğirdir is not only a natural asset, but also a nation’s production power, food security and climate resistance.” Finally, after Eğirdir Similar action plans will be prepared for Akşehir, Eber, Bafa, Beyşehir, Burdur, İznik, Seyfe and Sapanca lakes. gave the good news.
