A Study on Water Occupancy Rates in Mursal Dam Lake for the Last Five Years

Abstract

This study focuses on the water levels of Mursal Dam Lake in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey over the last five years. The study utilizes water level data for Mursal Dam Lake from 2020-2024 obtained from the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works of Turkey. The study determined that the water levels of Mursal Dam Lake varied between 30.3% and 6.5%. The average water level for Mursal Dam Lake over the last five years was calculated as 18.32±10.75%. According to this data, the trend in water levels for Mursal Dam Lake over the last five years has been decreasing. This indicates that the water level of Mursal Dam Lake has decreased by approximately 80% on average over the last five years. This suggests that alarm bells are ringing for Mursal Dam Lake and that the risk of drought continues. To protect and sustainably utilize water quality of Mursal Dam Lake, it is recommended that water be used sparingly and measures be taken to reduce water demand in the agricultural sector, where water consumption is highest.