21.02.2026 15:21
In Istanbul, which did not receive the expected snow and rain during the winter months, the dam reservoir levels remained at 40 percent. Prof. Dr. Meriç Albay, a faculty member of the Department of Marine and Freshwater Resources Management at Istanbul University, stated, "We need to enter June with at least over 70 percent. If we cannot reach this level, it is likely that we will experience the difficulties we used to expect in the fall now in August."
In Istanbul, the insufficient snowfall and rainfall expected in January and February prevented the reservoirs in the dams from reaching the desired levels. Expectations for the recovery of the filling rates in the dams have been postponed to the spring months.
Colonel told AA correspondent that the dam filling rates in the Marmara Region are below seasonal averages.
Stating that the dam filling rates in Istanbul are around 40 percent, Colonel said, "Currently, about 60 percent of the dams in Istanbul are empty. However, we should have seen at least a 60 percent filling rate by January; 70-75 or even 80 percent are the figures we prefer."
Colonel pointed out that there has been insufficient snowfall and rainfall during December, January, and February, noting that the expected snowfall, especially in the Marmara Region, has not been received.
As we enter the May-June period, Colonel emphasized that the filling rate is a critical threshold, stating, "We need to enter June with at least over 70 percent. If we cannot reach this level, it is likely that we will experience the difficulties we used to expect in the fall now in August. Daily water consumption in Istanbul is over 3 million cubic meters. In summer, both consumption increases and evaporation reaches serious levels."
"A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE WATER YOU STORE IN DAMS RETURNS TO THE ATMOSPHERE"
Colonel noted that with rising temperatures, the impact of evaporation on the water budget has grown, and continued:
"20-30 years ago, we wouldn't have seen evaporation as such a critical parameter. Now, a significant portion of the water you store in dams returns to the atmosphere. A large amount of water is released into the atmosphere through evaporation. Therefore, it would be safer to enter June at around 80 percent if possible. The higher the rate we enter, the more comfortable we will be until November. However, a good year does not guarantee a good year to come."
"IF DROUGHT CONTINUES FOR 2 YEARS, THE FLOW OF MELEN MAY ALSO DECREASE"
Colonel expressed that Melen Stream, one of Istanbul's important water sources, provides significant contributions to the system but will not be sufficient on its own, stating, "If the drought continues for 2 years, the flow of Melen may also decrease. If the source weakens, it will not be possible to feed the dams. The current population growth in Istanbul poses a significant risk in terms of the water budget."
Colonel pointed out that the Marmara Region holds about 4 percent of Turkey's water resources, while approximately 29 percent of the population lives in this region, stating that the industrial and population density needs to be replanned according to water resources.
CRITICAL PICTURE IN SAPANCA AND İZNİK
Colonel stated that due to drought and excessive consumption pressure, the water level in Sapanca Lake has dropped to 28.3 meters in the fall, and despite recent rains, the level has only reached 28.8 meters, indicating that this situation in the lake has reached an alarming level in terms of the ecosystem.
Emphasizing that every few centimeters of drop in the water level of the lake, which is used as a drinking water source, corresponds to millions of cubic meters of loss, Colonel said, "Sapanca is strategically important for both Sakarya and Kocaeli. However, if the pressure from drinking water and industry on the lake continues, this situation will worsen."
Colonel highlighted that the situation is also concerning in other basins in Marmara, noting that significant withdrawals of hundreds of meters have occurred in Lake Iznik, stating that the industrial use of lake water increases the pressure on the ecosystem.
Colonel pointed out that the use of gray water should be promoted against the water crisis and that water efficiency should be increased, adding that even if the dams are full, water should be used carefully.