The Ružín Reservoir in eastern Slovakia faces a severe water shortage as declining inflows cause daily drops in water levels, prompting local officials and residents to confront dry riverbeds and exposed debris despite recent rainfall in the region.
Declining Water Levels at Ružín Reservoir
Water levels at the Ružín Reservoir near the villages of Jaklovce and Margecany have dropped significantly, leaving parts of the reservoir completely dry and allowing residents to walk across the exposed lakebed. Uppers of the shrinking mudflat show only incoming streams, while a floating barrier intended to catch waste now rests directly on the dry bottom. Region resident Mária Nováková described the landscape as a surprising and sad sight where water is entirely absent.
Marián Bocák, a spokesperson for the Slovak Water Management Enterprise, explained that the reservoir’s water height depends directly on its inflow, noting that the sharp drop in September stems from a gradual and long-term decrease in incoming water. Margecany Mayor Igor Petrik stated that the inflow sits at three cubic meters per second while the outflow reaches six cubic meters per second, causing the water level to drop by ten centimeters or more each day. Bocák added that water structures continue to serve their purpose by capturing water during periods of excess to support life in rivers downstream during dry spells.
Did You Know? The receding water levels at the Ružín Reservoir have exposed the lakebed to such an extent that residents are able to walk across it and local communities can clean up accumulated waste from the bottom.
Impacts on Tourism and Local Environment
The drying reservoir has disrupted local recreation, as residents in recent years have increasingly used Ružín and its surroundings for tourism and leisure activities. Local fishermen expect the reservoir will not fill up again until the spring. Petronela Mišenická, a local ecologist, emphasized the need for immediate action across Slovakia to capture water on private properties so that it infiltrates the soil and replenishes groundwater rather than running off the surface.
National Response and Future Preparations
The National Commission for Water and Drought addressed the acute water shortage during an expanded meeting alongside an expert collegium. Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč stated that the country has a relative abundance of water, but it flows away, emphasizing that authorities must do everything possible to retain water to the greatest extent possible. Experts agreed to collect relevant data by October 1 and begin evaluating it quickly, while the government has allocated 100 million euros for water retention measures next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the water levels at the Ružín Reservoir to drop?
According to water management officials, the severe drop in September is the result of a gradual and long-term decrease in incoming water, with current inflows at three cubic meters per second and outflows at six cubic meters per second.
How are local officials responding to the situation?
The local municipal government has proposed that water managers change the operational rules and schedule of the reservoir to help manage the water levels.
What funding has the government allocated for water retention?
The government has set aside 100 million euros for the upcoming year to support measures aimed at retaining water across the country.
What measures do you think local communities should prioritize to improve water retention on private and public lands?
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