21.01.2026 15:41
After the effective snowfall in Istanbul, the reservoir filling rate has increased to 24.65%. Professor Dr. Meriç Albay, a faculty member at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Water Sciences, stated, "It seems that after the snow melts, the reservoirs will be filled up to about 35%, but this will not be enough for us; we need new snowfall. If we receive significant snowfall for another 2-3 days, and if we can raise the filling rate to 60-70%, it would provide us some relief. However, our real target is to reach 80% filling by April, or even May."
Recently, following the effective snowfall, the filling rate of the reservoirs has increased. According to the latest data shared by İSKİ, as of January 9, 2026, the average filling rate of the reservoirs in Istanbul has been determined to be 24.65 percent. Meriç Albay, a faculty member of Istanbul University’s Faculty of Water Sciences, made statements regarding the filling rate of the reservoirs after the precipitation.
'AFTER THE SNOW IN THE BASINS MELTS, IT WILL BENEFIT US AROUND 35 PERCENT'
Prof. Dr. Meriç Albay from Istanbul University’s Faculty of Water Sciences stated, "The snowfall over the last two days has undoubtedly positively affected our reservoirs. However, we are currently around 25 percent full. Even in Istanbul's largest reservoir, the Ömerli Dam, there is water above 30 percent. It has snowed in the basins, and when this snow melts, we will exceed 30 percent, but it won't be enough. The snow in the basins is currently melting, but I think it will benefit us around 30-35 percent. We need to protect the basins. The basins are currently covered with concrete, and unfortunately, the water leaking from the concrete cannot fill the reservoirs. We have really struggled to protect the basins for years. Istanbul should no longer be a concrete city; it should have more green areas. Because from what I see, if we do not receive sufficient snow, it will not be enough for Istanbul. We need larger snowfalls and longer-lasting snowfalls. Let’s not forget that last year we had around 50 percent water, and now we are at around 25 percent. Currently, we have half the water in our reservoirs. This will not be enough for us. Therefore, if there is no larger snowfall, trouble awaits us," he said.
'WE NEED SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL UNTIL MID-FEBRUARY'
Prof. Dr. Meriç Albay stated, "There has been significant snowfall, especially in the regions where our reservoirs are located, but it is not enough. Currently, the Sazlıdere Dam is at around 15-20 percent, the Terkos Dam is at around 16-17 percent, and Büyükçekmece is at around 16-20 percent. Alibeyköy has received a bit more, but unfortunately, it is a small dam. Our large dams; Terkos, Büyükçekmece, and Ömerli need to be fuller. I believe Alibeyköy is around 20 percent. I think that is really very little and not enough. The basins are currently really covered with concrete, so they cannot feed the reservoirs. In this sense, we need to make some progress. There should no longer be concrete around the reservoirs. We need to increase green areas and free the reservoirs from concrete. Naturally, the snow will start to melt. Currently, there is about 35 percent of unmelted snow stock in the basin. This is also not enough; we need significant snowfall until mid-February. Last year we were at around 50 percent, and now we are at around 25 percent," he said.
'WE NEED A NEW SNOWFALL'
Meriç Albay stated, "I predict that Büyükçekmece Lake will reach around 25 percent. Especially after the last snows melt, Terkos Lake will reach around 25 percent. A dam that is 75 percent empty is of no benefit to us. Therefore, we seriously need a new snowfall. Rain is important, but snowfall feeds both underground waters and reservoirs much more than rain. Even if it melts now, Büyükçekmece, Küçükçekmece, and Ömerli Reservoirs will bring us a water potential that will not be enough, and that seems to create problems for us starting from the spring months. Currently, the filling rate of the reservoirs is around 25 percent. After the snow melts, it seems to fill up to around 35 percent, but this will not be enough for us. We need a new snowfall. If we receive significant snowfall for another 2-3 days and raise the filling rate to 60-70 percent, it will relieve us a bit. But our real goal is to enter April, even May, with an 80 percent filling rate. If we cannot achieve that, I think we will start to experience problems in Istanbul around August-September," he expressed.
'IF WE CANNOT REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION, A BIG PROBLEM AWAITS US'
Meriç Albay stated, "We are still not conserving water; our daily water consumption per person in Istanbul is 200 liters, and we need to reduce this. We need to reduce the water loss and leakage rate for the whole of Turkey. There needs to be a serious spread of conservation awareness in society. This awareness needs to be accepted by everyone now. Our water is limited; it will not be enough. If we continue with our habits and consumption, and if we cannot reduce our water consumption further, it seems that a big problem awaits us," he said.