25.5 Billion Lira Action Plan for Sapanca Lake

November 1, 2026 · AA Tarım & Ekonomi

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched a 5-year action plan worth 25.5 billion lira to protect the Sapanca Lake Basin, which is under threat from drought and climate crisis.

Comprehensive Mobilization for Sapanca Lake

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has launched a major rescue operation to protect Sapanca Lake, one of the strategic freshwater basins, from the adverse effects of drought and the climate crisis. The roadmap, announced to the public at the Sapanca Lake Action Plan Introduction Meeting held at the Adapazarı Culture Center, aims to fundamentally transform the region's water security. Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı announced that investments to be made will add 114 million cubic meters of water to the basin annually. Within the framework of the plan, which covers the next five years, the goal is to use water with the highest efficiency at every stage from source to final consumer.

Water Crisis in the World and Turkey

Minister Yumaklı drew attention to the extremely limited water resources on Earth, reminding that only 2.5% of the world's water is freshwater, and only 1% of that is usable. He stated that 2.2 billion people worldwide face problems accessing clean water due to rapid urbanization, and that the amount of usable water per capita in Turkey has decreased from 1313 cubic meters to 1297 cubic meters, officially placing the country under water stress.

Emphasizing the strategic importance of water resources, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the national security dimension of the issue with these words:

'Access to clean water resources is a matter of survival.'

Minister Yumaklı announced that they have implemented the 10-year National Water Plan, prepared in line with the water efficiency mobilization, and have transitioned to a tiered registration system of blue, green, and turquoise for institutions.

Efficiency and Support in Agricultural Production

Stressing that the agriculture sector accounts for the largest share of freshwater consumption in the country, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı pointed to the support of producers and said:

'We use 77% of water in agricultural production. Therefore, we had to find ways to use it efficiently, and the most important aspect of this was production planning. I want to express my pride as a child of this nation that our farmers and producers, especially our chambers of agriculture, have embraced production planning so wholeheartedly.'

Yumaklı noted that the state offers significant incentives for farmers to access modern irrigation infrastructure and stated that they are resolutely continuing to provide a 70% grant support for investments in pressurized irrigation systems.

Flood Management and Combat in Basins

Minister Yumaklı stated that the imbalances caused by climate change in precipitation regimes trigger floods and inundations, and announced that they have completed and put into effect flood management plans in 25 separate basins across the country. Recording that they have conducted comprehensive risk analyses on all stream beds feeding Sapanca Lake, the Minister reported that they have intervened immediately with 485 construction machines and heavy equipment, and 772 personnel, in sudden floods that occurred in 15 provinces since the beginning of October alone. Yumaklı emphasized the need to take all protective measures meticulously before disasters strike and to carefully observe the balance between protection and usage.

Lake Ecosystems and the Importance of Sapanca

Yumaklı stated that they have placed sensitive lake basins under protection within the National Water Council and said that special action plans have been prepared for 9 lakes, including Eğirdir, Beyşehir, Akşehir, Eber, Bafa, Burdur, İznik, Seyfe, and Sapanca. Highlighting regional risks, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı conveyed the magnitude of the danger with these words:

'Sapanca Lake is extremely important for both drinking and utility water, and it also has protected area status. We must speak openly and clearly. If Sapanca Lake deteriorates further from its current state, Kocaeli and Sakarya will go dry. The industrial zone will no longer be able to perform its function and will not be able to provide the necessary contribution to the Turkish economy.'

25.5 Billion Against Climate Threat

Yumaklı stated that the optimistic picture created by recent rainfall in the Sapanca Basin should not be misleading, and that a 4-degree increase in basin temperature and a 5% decrease in precipitation are expected in the coming period. The Minister emphasized that a water reduction of 72 million cubic meters was experienced in Sapanca Lake in 2025 alone due to drought and consumption pressure, and that 22% of this loss was due to evaporation. He announced that a budget of 25.5 billion lira has been allocated to the plan, which consists of 6 main actions and 12 measures. Yumaklı stated that the water and ecosystem balance of the lake will be absolutely secured through the projects to be implemented with this comprehensive budget.

Alternative Dams and Loss-Leakage Measures

It was announced that additional water resources are being rapidly commissioned to alleviate the water withdrawal pressure on Sapanca Lake. Minister Yumaklı stated that the stress on the lake has eased with the completion of the treatment plant and transmission lines at Kocaeli İhsaniye Dam and the commencement of water supply to the city, and that Ballıkaya Dam will start holding water as of 2027. Yumaklı indicated that the Avcıdere Dam Irrigation and Drinking Water Project will also be included in the investment program, and that by reducing the water loss and leakage rate in urban drinking water networks to 25% through renovations in internal transmission lines, 16 million cubic meters of water will be saved annually.

AI-Supported Smart Management

Minister Yumaklı stated that advanced technologies are being employed beyond traditional methods in lake management, and that water quality and quantity are being monitored with AI-supported models, while evaporation losses will be tracked with real-time sensors. Yumaklı said that all hydrological data generated will be transferred to the Smart Water Management System and that the process will be carried out under the supervision of a Science Board composed of experts in the field. Yumaklı reminded that protecting this natural heritage, formed over millions of years, is a national duty and emphasized that they will implement the planned steps without delay and with collective effort.

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