Lake Sapanca, under draught threat, floods nearby settlements

Bahardır Çaktı, Chairman of Lake Sapanca Protection Association, told the Anadolu Agency that the lake's water level is higher than April 2014 by 2 meters. Çaktı said that the snow cover is visible on nearby hills, and the water level may continue to rise.

Lake Sapanca, under draught threat, floods nearby settlements

As Turkey has received an important amount of rain and snowfall this winter, especially in northwestern parts, the water level of Lake Sapanca reached the highest in the recent years and flooded basements and gardens of nearby settlements.

Lake Sapanca, under draught threat, floods nearby settlements

With the coming of the spring, melting snow cover located in the lake's basin helped the water level to 32.20 meters, highest in the recent years. For the last two months, excess amount of water is being discharged from the lake.

Lake Sapanca, under draught threat, floods nearby settlements

Çaktı added that last year's situation should not be forgotten and water should be consumed carefully. In the summer of 2014, the water level of the lake was lower than 30 meters.

Lake Sapanca, under draught threat, floods nearby settlements

A natural beauty and an important getaway location in the highly industrialized northwestern Turkey, Lake Sapanca is the main source of drinking water for the cities of Izmit and Adapazarı, as well as the country's industrial core. The lake is also an important source of water for the region's agriculture.

Lake Sapanca, under draught threat, floods nearby settlements