Lake Iznik water levels recede by 200 meters

Water levels in Lake Iznik, Turkey’s fifth largest natural lake, are experiencing a critical decline, with the shoreline receding by nearly 200 meters. Despite recent rainfall that filled local dams, the lake has become shallower rather than rising. Former piers, such as the Orhangazi Pier used by the passenger ship ‘Akşemseddin’ between 2015 and 2018, are now located hundreds of meters away from the water.

Prof. Dr. Efsun Dindar of Bursa Uludağ University noted that the lake is a vital freshwater source for the Marmara Region and Turkey. She attributed the recession to a combination of intense industrialization, heavy agricultural water use, and climate change-induced drought. Furthermore, a significant drop in groundwater reserves has failed to replenish the lake’s water budget.

The environmental shift is also impacting local livelihoods and biodiversity. Zelkif Bektaş, head of the Orhangazi Fisheries Cooperative, reported a serious decrease in fish populations. He highlighted that agricultural runoff, including fertilizers and pesticides, is accumulating in reed beds, creating toxic conditions that kill juvenile fish and disrupt the ecosystem.