Hungary's Lake Velence Dries to Historic Low

Hungary's Lake Velence is experiencing unprecedented water scarcity, with its water level plummeting to a record low of 41 centimeters (16 inches) as of last week, the lowest since measurements began in 1931. This crisis, attributed to both human-driven climate change and decades of flawed water management policies, has left the lake's beaches deserted and its tourism sector suffering. Gyorgy Simon, whose company suspended sightseeing cruises in late June, noted the country's broader water scarcity issues. "We pray for rain, but we know the whole country is facing water scarcity," he stated.

The fishing association representative, Imre Palinkas, described angling as facing its worst year in decades, emphasizing the extreme vulnerability of the lake's ecosystem. Attila Szegi from the National Directorate General for Water Management confirmed a one-year rainfall deficit for Hungary and stated authorities are focused on "damage control" to prevent the lake from splitting into separate bodies of water. Hydrogeologist Anita Eross noted the lake's historical tendency to dry out due to its shallowness and connection to groundwater, further strained by increased water extraction from new residents for domestic use.

A new kayaking academy, built at a cost of approximately 142 million euros ($162 million) in 2024, is unable to host an international canoe competition due to the low water levels. Viktoria Bogi, state secretary at the newly created ministry of the living environment, stated the current pro-EU government has made the lake's restoration a priority. They are drafting stricter regulations for water extraction, aiming to restore natural recharge sources before considering costly artificial interventions like releasing treated wastewater or constructing a canal to the Danube.