Water levels in dams in Aydın has dropped alarmingly, with some decreasing by as much as 50% after the irrigation season for agriculture.

For Aydın, dam waters are of vital importance, but due to a lack of rain in the winter and extreme heat in the summer, rainwater has almost evaporated.

According to the Aydın Water and Sewerage Administration General Directorate (ASKİ), the levels of İkizdere Dam, which was 20% in July, dropped to 13% in September. Levels at Karacasu Dam, which were 84% in July, fell to 45% this month.

We met with urban planner Yasemin Şentürk who did her PhD thesis on the Climate Crisis, and Bahattin Sürücü, President of the Ecosystem Protection Association, to evaluate the issue.

Both experts stated that the decreases in water occupancy in dams were “frightening” and urgent measures should be taken. Şentürk said: “We have reached this point caused by climate change. The measures we will take today will no longer prevent this course of the world, but we still have a chance to slow it down.”

“We rely on rain to fill dams”

Stating that dams are a method of collecting water that we obtain by intervening in nature and disrupting the functioning of nature, Şentürk said: “By changing the direction of the water, we left the soil dehydrated and caused groundwater depletion.

Mrs Şentürk

“We knew from the beginning that dams would cause this problem. Now, by using dam water uncontrollably, we are causing a thirst problem.

“We rely on rainfall to fill the dams. However, due to the climate crisis, we can no longer benefit from rainfall. Sudden heavy rains do not positively affect the occupancy rate of dams. We need moderate and long-lasting rains to fill the dams. However, we cannot receive productive rainfall due to the degradation of the ecosystem.”

Still building dams

EKODOSD President Sürücü said that despite the drought, the construction of the dam is still continuing. Sürücü, “The Beşparmak Dam is planned in the Latmos Mountains to meet the water needs of Didim; The construction of the Sarıçay dam continues to meet the water needs of Kuşadası, Söke, Davutlar and Güzelçamlı.

Mr Sürücü

Water shortages are still predicted to increase in the next 5-10 years, especially for growing settlements and populations in Kuşadası, Didim and Söke. Intensive construction in cities, destruction of green areas and deforestation will negatively affect water resources.

Lack of control of water used in industry and agriculture causes both water pollution and a decrease in water resources. Şentürk said:“There are still places where irrigation methods in agriculture are not inspected. Water is withdrawn uncontrolled during construction and industry.

“In addition to the decrease in our dam waters, we have the problem that our underground waters have dried up. We ned to find solutions to these problems through regulations and controls on human activities.”