A large-scale rescue operation was launched today to restore the ecological balance of the maintained Srebarna Reserve. An expert team from various institutions began transferring water masses from the Danube River to the lake, using specialized high-flow equipment.
The initial phase of the operation includes work with a powerful hydropump, provided by the General Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection", which provides a flow rate of 400 cubic meters per hour. A second pump system is expected to arrive tomorrow, which will increase the water transfer capacity.
Preliminary preparation includes a precisely processed river arm with a depth of about 1.5 meters, with all approaches and communication routes reinforced. Coordination between responsible institutions is carried out by key regional leaders.
The initiative is the result of a joint decision taken on June 27 by leading municipal and regional representatives, including Mayor Alexander Sabanov, Director Daud Ibryam, Regional Governor Iliyan Velikov, and Commissioner Evlogi Stamov.
The main reason for the urgent intervention is the extremely low water level, which threatens the biodiversity of the reserve. Currently, the water surface is nearly a meter below optimal values, putting the ecosystem in a critical condition.
Experts point to complex factors for the persistent low water: artificial regulation of river runoff, hydraulic structures, reduced water volumes in reservoirs, and significant water consumption in the catchment basin.
Climate changes further aggravate the situation through increased winter temperatures, reduced snowfall, and a shorter snow cover period. Prolonged droughts and high temperatures cause intensive evaporation, which further deteriorates the hydrological regime.
The last natural filling of the lake was carried out in the spring of 2023. The current operation aims to restore ecological balance and prevent potential loss of the unique ecosystem.
The large-scale hydrological intervention demonstrates the coordinated efforts of local authorities and expert institutions to preserve natural wealth under extreme climatic conditions.