Lake Velence water levels hit historic low

The water level of Lake Velence has reached a historic low. On June 20, the water gauge at Agárd recorded a level of only 52 centimeters, surpassing the previous record low set in September 2022 by one centimeter.

Experts note that the lake is a naturally shallow system with an average depth of only 1.5 meters, making it highly sensitive to evaporation and extreme weather. Dr. Zsombor Boromisza from the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences explains that while water level fluctuations and even periodic drying are natural characteristics of the lake, climate change is expected to make these low-water periods more frequent.

The crisis is compounded by a century and a half of human intervention. Efforts to transform the lake into a stable resort with regulated shorelines, harbors, and beaches have created a management model that conflicts with the lake's natural volatility. As water levels recede, it poses significant challenges to both the local ecosystem and the tourism industry.