Story: Ahmetcan Uzlaşık
Curation: Ömer Sirkecioğlu
Burdur Lake, Türkiye’s seventh-largest, has experienced a drastic decline in water levels, dropping 20.29 meters since its peak of 851 meters in 1970. Over the past 54 years, the lake’s volume has shrunk by nearly half, decreasing by 47%. The lake is rapidly losing water due to factors such as climate change, illegal drilling and wild irrigation.
Straddling the border between Afyonkarahisar and Denizli, Acıgöl is among Türkiye’s protected lakes. However, its water level has fallen by 50% over the last four decades, putting it in serious danger of drying up completely. The lake is home to 192 species of birds, including flamingos.
Due to the climate crisis, excessive water use by nearby quarries and mines, and water-intensive agriculture, Burdur's Yarışlı Lake, an 'Important Nature Area,' has dried up, forcing 141 bird species, including flamingos, to leave.
Türkiye’s second-largest lake and a key source of 40% of the country’s salt, Salt Lake has visibly receded over the past 40 years, as evident in satellite images.
Karataş Lake, in Burdur’s Karamanlı district, is an essential habitat for waterfowl and a water source for agriculture. However, it has been hit hard by drought, completely drying up in the summer of 2021 before partially refilling.
Meke Lake, a crater lake in Türkiye, has suffered the same fate as Akşehir Lake. Once containing water levels of 5-6 meters, it has now completely dried up, leaving no visible water behind.
Despite the scale of the crisis, public awareness remains low. Yaraşlı believes this is because wetlands are undervalued in decision-making. “Wetlands are among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems,” she states. They not only provide habitat for thousands of species but also play a crucial role in regulating the water cycle.
“They act as natural buffers against droughts and floods, helping recharge groundwater and filter water,” Yaraşlı explains. She emphasizes that places like the Gediz Delta, Manyas Bird Paradise, Burdur Lake, and the Konya Basin are essential stopover and breeding sites for migratory birds. Their destruction leads to severe biodiversity loss, particularly for endangered species.
Beyond ecology, wetlands support local economies. “Thousands of people in Türkiye depend on wetlands for farming and fishing,” Yaraşlı points out. The drying up of Marmara Lake, for example, has not only led to biodiversity loss but also devastated communities that relied on it for their livelihoods.
She also warns that wetland loss worsens Türkiye’s water crisis. “As groundwater levels drop, securing drinking and irrigation water becomes increasingly difficult. Combined with climate change, this intensifies drought risks,” she explains.
Can Türkiye’s dried-up lakes be revived? Yaraşlı believes it is possible but requires a science-based, holistic approach. “First, water management policies must prioritize ecosystem health and minimize interference with natural water cycles,” she says.
She calls for reassessing existing dams and reservoirs. “Infrastructure projects should be evaluated for their impact on wetlands, and where necessary, modifications or removals should be considered,” Yaraşlı suggests.
Agricultural practices must also change. Türkiye’s National Water Plan (2019–2023) shows that 74% of annual water consumption goes to irrigation. Yaraşlı stresses that “high-water-demand crops should be phased out in favor of drought-resistant farming, and efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation should be promoted.” She also calls for stricter controls on illegal wells and groundwater extraction.
Industrial and urban pressure on wetlands must also be curbed. Yaraşlı insists that “nature protection laws should be strengthened and strictly enforced to prevent wetland destruction.” In addition, policies should focus on improving water efficiency and enhancing the resilience of natural ecosystems against climate change.
Restoring dried-up lakes is possible, but it requires commitment. “Successful restoration depends on scientific data, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and long-term strategies to restore natural water flows,” Yaraşlı concludes.
