09.11.2026 16:13
As part of routine leakage inspections to be carried out at the Atatürk, Birecik, and Karkamış dams, water has been discharged since October 29. With the drop in water level, the historic Ulu Mosque, old cemetery, and settlement areas in the Halfeti district of Şanlıurfa, which had been underwater for about 26 years, have re-emerged. Some floating restaurants and boats on the lake, meanwhile, have run aground.
With the controlled water release initiated at Birecik Dam, structures that had remained under the dam waters in Halfeti have become visible again. The Halfeti District Governorship warned that disruptions may occur in drinking water and irrigation during the works.
WATER LEVEL BEING LOWERED BY 8 METERS
Due to routine seepage water measurements to be carried out downstream of Atatürk Dam, a controlled water release was started at Birecik Dam on October 29. The water level is planned to be lowered by a total of 8 meters to an elevation of 377 meters, while the works are targeted to be completed on November 15 and the water level to return to its normal level.
HISTORIC GRAND MOSQUE AND CEMETERY EMERGE
In Halfeti, most of which was submerged when the dam began holding water in 2000, historic structures and old settlement areas have re-emerged with the release. The historic Grand Mosque and old cemetery areas in the region have also become visible.
FLOATING RESTAURANTS RUN AGROUND
The drop in water level also affected tourism activities in the region. Some of the floating restaurants operating on the lake and some boats ran aground.
DRINKING WATER WARNING FROM THE DISTRICT GOVERNORSHIP
In a statement from the Halfeti District Governorship, it was noted that between October 29 and November 15, the water level in the Birecik Dam reservoir is planned to be lowered by no more than 50 centimeters per day to an elevation of 377 meters and kept at this level.
In the statement, it was expressed that during the works, temporary disruptions may occur in drinking and domestic water supply, irrigation activities, and water transmission systems in the Atatürk, Birecik, and Karkamış dams depending on the water level. The District Governorship asked citizens to be careful and take precautions against possible changes.