Turkiye’s Ladik Lake shrinking due to drought

Ladik Lake, one of Samsun’s natural beauties, is shrinking due to the recent severe drought.

Known for its floating islets and as a stopover for 90 different bird species on their migration route, the lake’s decreasing water levels pose a significant threat to local wildlife and surrounding community.

The lake basin, home to pike, perch, carp, and roach, is a crucial source of income for many locals. However, information from the State Water Works (DSI) 7th Regional Directorate indicates that Ladik Lake’s water level is currently at its minimum. The lake is no longer used for irrigation due to the drought’s effects.

Record temperatures and consequences

Ondokuz Mayis University’s Geography Department Associate Professor Dr. Muhammet Bahadir highlighted the summer of 2024 saw record-breaking temperatures globally as well as in Türkiye. “Particularly on July 21, global temperature records were broken. The increase in evaporation has severely affected water surfaces, rivers, and sources, leading to a direct decrease in water availability per capita,” Bahadir said.

Bahadir emphasized that Ladik Lake is essential for drinking water, agricultural irrigation, and livestock. “Many villages and districts surround Ladik Lake. However, many of the streams feeding the lake have dried up, and sediment carried by occasional floods has exacerbated the situation,” he explained.

The floating islets, significant for tourism and used in agriculture as natural fertilizer, have settled on the lakebed due to the drought. “We need sustainable mechanisms to preserve the lake,” Bahadir urged. “Switching from flood irrigation to drip or sprinkler irrigation can help conserve water and maintain the lake’s ecosystem.”

A declining lake area

Satellite imagery over 25 years shows a consistent decline in Ladik Lake’s area, shrinking from 11 square kilometers to 7.2. “If the current climate and water usage trends continue, we risk losing Ladik Lake in the next 10-15 years,” Bahadir warns.

Senol Tiryaki, a local restaurant owner born and raised in Ladik, noted the lake’s historically low water levels. “We must protect nature’s gifts,” Tiryaki said.

Immediate measures, including a wetland management plan involving local authorities, are crucial to balance water use and protect Ladik Lake.