The water level of Lake Srebarna in the reserve of the same name is being maintained despite the critically low levels of the Danube river. At present, water is flowing from the Western Canal into the ‘Draganova Loka’ water basin, and from there into the central basin. The relevant authorities, in collaboration with the local council, are working in full coordination. With the help of two hydro-pumping units from the General Directorate of Fire Safety, over 1 million cubic metres of water have so far been supplied to the reserve. This was reported at a meeting of the crisis management team yesterday.

The water level in the canal connecting Devnya Island - part of the reserve, to the mainland continues to fall. This is hampering efforts to transfer water into the lake, as the pumps are sucking up sand and have to be shut down periodically. Channels are being dug in the sand using an excavator to allow water to reach the side channel. The two lines of rigid polyethylene pipes, installed by Water Supply and Sewerage-Ruse last year, have been further extended by staff from the water supply company in Silistra to bring them closer to the pump intake heads.

At present, numerous swans, geese, herons, kingfishers, glossy ibises, and Dalmatian pelicans are being observed in the waters of Srebarna Lake and along the banks of the Danube, as their migratory period has begun.

The pumping operation provides the lake’s ecosystem with vital fresh water from the Danube, whilst also bringing in large quantities of newly hatched fish, which are essential as food for the waterbirds.  Work on the ground continues.