Water levels in Lake Srebarna recovering – a promising example of conservation success

In Bulgaria, the water level of Lake Srebarna, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is showing signs of recovery after a summer of extreme heat and drought. According to the Bulgarian News Agency, the improvement is the result of targeted measures, including diverting water from the nearby Danube River into the lake.

Bulgaria’s Environment Minister, Manol Genov, informed Parliament in early September that the lake’s ecosystems are beginning to recover. Since 2 July, two pumping stations have been operating to channel Danube water into the lake, improving water quality, restoring typical levels, and preserving habitats for bird species.

The lake hosts nearly 100 bird species, many of them rare or endangered, such as the night heron, glossy ibis, Dalmatian pelican, spoonbill, and purple heron. In addition, over 80 migratory bird species use the area during the winter.

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Lake Srebarna has both ecological and socio-economic importance: it supports sustainable tourism and enhances the environmental balance of the entire Danube–Black Sea region.

Comment from the Institute of Danube Research 

“The recovery of Lake Srebarna demonstrates the effectiveness of combining science, governance, and technical solutions. Once again, Danube water has become a source of life for this ecosystem, vital not only to Bulgaria but to the entire Danube basin.

For Ukraine, this experience is highly relevant to efforts aimed at saving Bessarabian lakes such as Katlabuh, Kitai, and Yalpuh, which face similar challenges due to drought and climate change. International cooperation in water management and biodiversity protection should be a key priority for the Danube–Black Sea macro-region.”