The coming week will be critical for fish stocks at Lake Velence as prolonged heat and extremely low water levels continue to threaten the ecosystem, the head of the Hungarian National Angling Association’s (MOHOSZ) Lake Velence branch said on Wednesday.
Imre Pál Pálinkás said current water quality remains suitable for fish and oxygen levels are stable. However, a calm weekend with little wind could trigger localized fish kills, while a strong cold front arriving after the heatwave could also place additional stress on aquatic life.
The spokesperson for Hungary’s National Directorate General for Water Management said no rainfall is expected over the coming days either at Lake Velence or across its catchment area. According to Gabriella Siklós, the lake’s water level currently stands at just 33 centimetres.
The previous record low water level was broken on June 24, when the Agárd gauge measured 52 centimetres. The earlier record of 53 centimetres had been recorded in September 2022.
Pálinkás said an emergency action plan to protect the lake’s fish population had already been prepared with the involvement of the Danube-Ipoly National Park Directorate, the Central Transdanubian Water Directorate and other relevant authorities.
If water levels decline further, the last available option would be a rescue fishing operation to relocate fish. However, he noted that such an operation could only be carried out during the cooler autumn months.
He added that a recent survey found the fish population dispersed throughout the lake rather than concentrated in specific areas, indicating that the fish are still behaving naturally. Recreational anglers have reported similar observations.
Based on previous experience, lake levels typically fall by between 0.5 and 1 centimetre on hot summer days. Officials currently expect the lowest water levels to occur in late September or early October.
Separately, the Fejér County Government Office imposed a bathing ban at five beaches around Lake Velence from July 23 because of bacterial contamination. Swimming remains prohibited at Agárd Park Beach and Camping, Tini Beach, Velence North Beach, Velence Korzó and Free Beach, and Velence Resort & Spa Beach until water quality improves.
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