What awaits Lake Balaton? It could split into three parts by the end of the century 🌊

Particularly alarming news has arrived for the Lake Balaton coastal communities from the climate conference in Tihany. According to a recent model, if the pessimistic scenario materializes, by the end of the century the lake could split into three larger water areas deeper than one meter, which would fundamentally change the daily lives of locals.

According to calculations presented by the water engineer, without water replenishment the water balance of Lake Balaton would deteriorate dramatically in the last third of the century. At a minus two meter water level, open water would remain only in three basin sections, severely affecting Balaton fishing, tourism and lakeside properties alike.

Based on current trends, by the end of the century the lake’s present extent could only be maintained with significant, eventually permanent water replenishment, but even then water level fluctuations could not be avoided. The summer drop is already noticeable: between mid-June and the end of August the water level on the gauge fell by 34 centimeters.

Investments around the lake further accelerate these processes, serving as a serious warning for Balaton businesses and families as well. Preserving the local ecological balance is therefore becoming an increasingly urgent task in the region. 🌊

Source: telex.hu