site.btaSrebarna Lake Level Is Low but Birds Are not at Risk - Environment Authority

Monitoring shows low water levels of the Srebarna lake but the birds nesting in the lake at not at risk, said the Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate in Ruse on Tuesday.

The lake level has been low for several months now, as the values ​​fluctuate between 110-120 cm at the southern sluice. The level of the lake reflects that of the Danube River. The largest increase was registered at the end of 2024, when there were long spells with heavy rainfall.

"The reason is that in 2024, there was no peak in the level of the Danube and it did not overflow. A problem can occur with a greater drought or with an increase in temperatures, as oxygen will not be enough for the fish. It is not uncommon for this type of lake to have periods of high water levels and periods of drought. In past years, there were periods where the lake completely dried up. We hope that this scenario won't be repeated. Last year the Danube did not swell and did not overflow. It did in 2023. But the summer of last year was as dry as never,” Momchil Petrov, an expert at the REWI in Ruse, told BTA.

The local environment inspectorate noted that the low water level does not pose a threat to the birds in the reserve

Some birds, however, are showing changes in their behaviour.

Due to the mild winter in 2024, the characteristic large flocks of the greater white-fronted geese and red-breasted geese that usually winter in the reserve have not been observed.

On the other hand, Dalmatian pelicans and the greylag geese are reported to be permanently present in Srebarna.

Birds from a mixed heron colony are expected to arrive for their breeding season soon.