Srebarna Lake faces critically low water levels

The Srebarna Nature Reserve near Silistra is facing a serious challenge due to the extremely low level of the Danube River. The lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Bulgaria’s most valuable wetlands, needs additional water supplies to preserve its ecosystem.

The lake is located along the Via Pontica, a major migratory route for birds traveling between Europe and Africa, and is home to more than 220 bird species. It is also the only traditional nesting habitat in Bulgaria for the great egret. The reserve is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including 47 species of mammals, 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 21 species of fish.

The low level of the Danube has caused water levels in the lake and the surrounding areas to fall critically low. Following urgent coordination between local and national authorities, emergency pumping of water from the Danube has begun, with the water being transferred across a seven-meter embankment separating the river from the lake. Four hydraulic pumps move tens of thousands of cubic meters of water each day to make up for the loss of moisture from the natural landmark. The measure was first implemented last summer, helping to prevent the ecosystem of the reserve, established in 1948, from drying out.

Edited by Yoan Kolev

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov