04.07.2026 12:10
Lake Marmara, registered as a 'Wetland of National Importance' within the borders of Manisa's Salihli, Saruhanlı, and Gölmarmara districts, which dried up four years ago due to drought, has begun to refill thanks to effective rainfall and water supplementation from the Demirköprü Dam. As the depth reaches 4 meters in the lake, migratory birds have returned, and Salihli Chamber of Agriculture President Cem Yalvaç said, "We expect fishing to resume shortly."
Located on the borders of the Salihli, Saruhanlı, and Gölmarmara districts, Lake Marmara, registered as a 'Wetland of National Importance' and known as a 'bird paradise', has largely dried up due to recent drought and water loss. The lake, which hosted approximately 20,000 water birds from 101 different species, including endangered species such as the Dalmatian pelican and cormorant, saw boats run aground and fishing activities cease. Some parts of the lake bed, where deep cracks have formed, have been opened for agriculture by farmers. Disputes over land sharing have occasionally turned into fights. In four separate land disputes, one person lost their life and two were injured.
In Manisa, especially with the effective rainfall this year, the water level in the Demirköprü Dam has risen. After the water level reached 242.12 meters, approximately 920 million cubic meters of water were stored, and the excess water was transferred to Lake Marmara. With the water replenishment, the lake's depth reached 4 meters. The restoration of ecological balance in the lake, where migratory birds have started to be seen again, delighted the local population.
WATER FROM BOZDAĞ WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE LAKE Meanwhile, within the scope of the project prepared by the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) 2nd Regional Directorate to permanently provide water to Lake Marmara, studies continue to deliver 25 million cubic meters of water annually from Bozdağ to the lake via the Kendirlik Supply Canal through the Ahmetli, Sart, Tabakçayı, Kurşunlu, and Gümüş regulators.
"DISRUPTION OF ECOLOGICAL BALANCE DIRECTLY AFFECTED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION" Salihli Chamber of Agriculture President Cem Yalvaç stated that the lake is of great importance not only for natural life but also for agriculture and the regional economy, saying, "We fought this struggle for ecological balance, the environment, agriculture, and future generations. Seeing the lake meet water again today makes us all happy. With the drying of the lake, the humidity level in the surrounding neighborhoods dropped significantly. Frost events increased in Poyrazdamları, Kemerdamları, Pazarköy, Yeniköy, and many surrounding neighborhoods. Quality loss occurred in many products, especially grapes and olives, due to decreased humidity. Drought, frost, and hail risks negatively affected producers. The disruption of ecological balance directly reflected on agricultural production."
"NEARLY 400 BIRD SPECIES HAVE STARTED TO BE SEEN AGAIN IN THE LAKE" Explaining that after the rainfall, the water level in the Demirköprü Dam rose above the 242 level, and the water discharged for safety purposes was directed to Lake Marmara, Yalvaç said, "Today, in the lake that meets water again, nearly 400 bird species have started to be seen again. We expect fishing to resume shortly. This picture truly makes us happy."
Stating that Lake Marmara is a large ecosystem affecting not only Gölmarmara but also Salihli, Saruhanlı, Ahmetli, and many surrounding settlements, Yalvaç also touched upon the permanent project prepared for the lake's future. Noting that it is planned to deliver water from Bozdağ to the lake via regulators using natural flow, Yalvaç said, "Whatever project is implemented, what matters is that Lake Marmara does not dry up again. The State Hydraulic Works has made its decision on this matter. This lake will no longer dry up and will not turn into agricultural land again. From now on, as all institutions, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and citizens, we must protect this natural heritage together."