Rare High Water: Lake Balaton Level Lowered
- 15 Jun 2023 10:04 AM
- Hungary Around the Clock
The National Water Management agency began draining water out of Lake Balaton on Monday morning because the average water level exceeds the 120cm maximum set by regulations, it was announced on Tuesday.
The lowering of the water level began based on forecasts and considering the water levels in the catchment area of the lake.
The duration and intensity of the exercise are determined by the rain that arrives in the meantime.
A flood wave floating down the Kapos river towards the lake justifies the cautious lowering of the water level, and the level is expected to rise further in the coming days as water flows in from the catchment areas.
The shorelines and water conduit system of several settlements on the south shore are sensitive to the high water level, as a lasting northerly-north-westerly wind could cause flooding in the lower-lying southern areas.
The water level has been as high as this in early June on only ten occasions since regular measuring began in 1921.
Evaporation caused by warm weather typically lowers the water level by a few centimetres in May, but this year the average water level rose by six centimetres in May, due to the colder and rainier weather than average, and rose by a further four centimetres in the first two weeks of June.
MTI Photo: György Varga
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