Gumis-tó lake in Szeged reveals mass tire accumulation due to drought

Extreme low water levels at the Gumis-tó near Szeged, Hungary, have revealed a massive accumulation of discarded tires on the lake bed. The lake, which is part of the Keramit lake system, was formed in a former clay mine used by a local brick factory.

Local residents report that the water level has dropped significantly, with some estimates suggesting it has fallen to a quarter of its former volume. This recession has exposed a cracked, muddy bed covered in hundreds of old tires, confirming local legends that the lake's nickname, ‘Gumis-tó’ (Tire Lake), was based on the actual contents of its depths.

The lake, which covers approximately 4.5 to 4.6 hectares and can reach depths of six meters under normal conditions, is managed by the Szegedi Herman Ottó Fishing Association. While reports of waste and tires in the lake have existed for years, the current drought has made the scale of the debris visible for the first time.