A large freshwater lake has almost dried up in Crimea

Lake Bugaz is on the brink of extinction, experts call the situation the result not of drought, but of excessive consumption of groundwater.

In annexed Crimea, Lake Bugaz near Sudak has become significantly shallower and is on the brink of extinction, according to Krym.Realii, citing Crimean human rights activist Abdureshit Dzhepparov.

Dzhepparov examined the body of water on March 13 and said the lake was constantly losing its water level and could soon dry up completely. According to him, the reason for the sinking of Bugaz is the excessive use of groundwater.

“The right to a favorable environment is one of the constitutional rights. The problem of water in Crimea limits this right of Crimeans. A picturesque place, Lake Bugaz, is a clear example of this, now the reservoir is on the edge of extinction. This is not the result of drought, but of excessive consumption of groundwater. With a decrease in the level of groundwater, the sources that fed the lake dried up. Unfortunately, this situation is not only in Lake Bugaz, but also in many other waters. Crimean bodies, “said Dzhepparov.

Previously, Lake Bugaz looked like this:

UNTIL

According to local historians, the lake is fed by three underground freshwater springs, partially replenished by rain and melt water. Therefore, the water here, unlike most of the Crimean coastal salt lakes, is safe to drink.