Danger is approaching in Izmir dams: ‘The lowest level in recent years’

The significant increase in temperature and the insufficient rainfall in Izmir affect the water level in the Tahtalı Dam, which meets the city’s drinking water needs, while the water level in the dam, which dropped to around 28%, has visibly decreased, revealing settlement areas. Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar stated, ‘The lowest level in recent years. Izmir is really facing a serious danger, we need to be very careful. We are not prepared at all.’
The increase in temperature and the decrease in rainfall nationwide also affected the dams. Alarm bells have started to ring in Izmir, the 3rd largest city in Turkey, regarding the dams. The water level in the Tahtalı Dam, which meets the city’s drinking water needs, dropped to 28%. Images showing the withdrawal of water in the region saddened observers. The images in the dam, where settlement areas have become more visible, once again brought water conservation to the agenda.
Oceanographer Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar stated that there was more rainfall last year. He expressed that a serious drought period has been entered after 2020, saying, ‘In the past year, in 2023, there was an excess of 12% rainfall nationwide. We had a very good rainfall; but unfortunately, the Southwest Aegean did not receive rain. That’s why we are experiencing some difficulties in terms of water for both agriculture and domestic use.’
Referring to the latest data of the Tahtalı Dam, Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar emphasized the need to be cautious and stated, ‘Our main dam in Izmir for domestic water use is the Tahtalı Dam. We have already entered a serious drought period as expected after 2020. It rained 12% less in 2020, 9% less in 2021, and again 12% less in 2022; in other words, the dams have significantly decreased. Currently, we are at a very low level of 28%, the lowest level in recent years.’
Doğan Yaşar mentioned the importance of using water carefully in Izmir, stating, ‘28%, 80 million cubic meters of usable water is currently available in Tahtalı; which is actually a good figure. Due to the increase in population, we are approaching the poverty line; but Izmir is the poorest of the poor with 600 cubic meters. Therefore, Izmir needs to be very careful in water use; but unfortunately, we do not see this sensitivity in the municipality. Even when Tahtalı Dam was 70% full, we still insistently drew water from underground sources in the 2021s. We always drew water from underground sources, from wells, even though 55% of Izmir’s water already comes from underground. There was no need for this. When the dam was 70% full, we could have drawn from Tahtalı; because 70% full means even if you draw all the water from Tahtalı, you would have enough water for maybe 1.5 years. This is a huge ratio.’
‘If used entirely from Tahtalı, there is water for 4 months, up to 8 months with other sources.’ Evaluating the 28% rate for Izmir, Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar stated that if used entirely from Tahtalı, water could be used for at least 4 months, along with other sources, up to 7-8 months.
Doğan Yaşar further explained, ‘28%, 80 million cubic meters. Currently, Izmir uses about 700 thousand cubic meters daily, around that figure. Sometimes 600, sometimes 750-700 thousand, if we calculate. If we use entirely from Tahtalı, we can go for at least 4 months; but there are other sources as well. We have plenty of water for 7-8 months. Let’s not talk about the water situation today; because our population will increase significantly. We saw the bottom of Tahtalı Dam in 2007-2008. It dropped to 2%. Since then, Izmir’s population has increased by another 750 thousand; these are significant figures. Naturally, after the next 15 years, another drought period will come. Then, we will become even poorer.’
Highlighting the necessary precautions, Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar continued, ‘Izmir Metropolitan Municipality needs to make plans; A, B, and C plans. We are not prepared at all. Suddenly, whatever rainfall remains within 6-7 years, nothing will remain. Therefore, the municipality needs to calculate all of these; we are currently in a natural drought period. My suggestion is always this; even if we do not need it, we must definitely have a seawater desalination project and it should be on the shelf. There is no saving in water, you use it efficiently. Water means the state. The day water runs out, the state will end. The reason for the end of all civilizations in the world; in other words, the reasons for the decline were drought, cooling, water shortage, and of course, lack of food. Therefore, we need to be very very careful with water. Izmir is really facing danger. The Super El Nino started last year. This is the reason for the heat. La Nina will follow this. El Nino, as we call it, is a mischievous boy in Spanish. La Nina cools the environment. When it cools down, drought begins. When the rains stop, our job becomes very difficult.’
The current occupancy rates of other dams are as follows; Balçova Dam 68.3%, Gördes Dam 11.3%, Ürkmez Dam 41.15%, Güzelhisar Dam 81.61%, Alaçatı Kutlu Aktaş Dam 34.31.