Dam levels in Istanbul drop! 86-year-old battle lines revealed

Following a dry summer, Istanbul's autumn has been rainless, leading to a gradual decline in dam occupancy. According to data from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ), the dam occupancy rate is 27.81 percent.

The occupancy rate of four of Istanbul's dams fell below 20 percent. The Kazandere Dam, located north of Istanbul, was measured at 1.76 percent, while the Elmalı Dam was the most full at 50.21 percent.

It sounds the alarm

According to İSKİ (Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration) data, the 28.1 percent occupancy rate was the lowest in the last 10 months. Last April, the average occupancy rate at the dams was 81.23 percent. Considering the averages over the last ten years, it was the second lowest. In October 2023, the occupancy rate was measured at 23.31 percent. In October 2015, the average occupancy rate was 66.81 percent.

LIGHTER LINE EMERGED

The Büyükçekmece Dam reservoir's occupancy rate has dropped to 32.02 percent today. A section of the historic "Çakmak Line," constructed to deter a potential German attack during World War II, has been resurfaced due to falling water levels in the reservoir. Planned and built by Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, the two-line defense line, extending from near Terkos Lake to Büyükçekmece, is partially submerged in the reservoir.

CATTLES ARE GRAZING

Meanwhile, areas in the Büyükçekmece Dam Lake basin that were previously filled with water and where fish swam have completely dried up. These areas have become grazing grounds for cattle. While the area under the viaduct on the TEM Highway was supposed to be filled with water, it has been completely transformed into green space following the drought.

Latest situation in Istanbul dams;

The occupancy rate of Ömerli Dam is 18.53 percent

The Darlık Dam occupancy rate is 42.4 percent

Elmalı Dam occupancy rate is 50.21 percent

Terkos Dam occupancy rate is 34.18 percent

The occupancy rate of Alibeyköy Dam is 15.96 percent

The occupancy rate in Büyükçekmece is 32.02 percent.

Sazlıdere Dam occupancy rate is 30.16 percent

The occupancy rate of Istrancalar Dam is 21.73 percent

Kazandere Dam occupancy rate is 1.76 percent

Papuçtere Dam occupancy rate is 14.87 percent

WHAT IS A LIGHTER LINE?

The Çakmak Line was constructed in 1939, at the suggestion of Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, to ward off potential attacks from the Balkans during World War II, along Türkiye's Thrace border. Although the exact number of these structures is unknown, they comprised bunkers, tunnels, and decoy structures. These structures are also frequently encountered in the Büyükçekmece district of Istanbul.

Source: DHA