DETERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER LEVEL, VOLUME AND METEOROLOGICAL VARIABLES: STUDY OF LAKE EGIRDIR

Abstract

Climate change and variability, as well as unplanned and irregular water use, affect sustainable management of lakes, which are of great importance in terms of water resources. Currently, Lake Egirdir, which is the second largest freshwater resource of our country and located in the Lakes Region, has been selected as the research area. In this study, data of Lake Egirdir water level measurement station and Egirdir meteorology station, which are effective on water potential of Lake Egirdir basin, were used as materials. In this study, Lake Egirdirwater level (EWL) and lake water volume (EWV) values and long-term temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed values of Lake Egirdir were used. Correlation and regression analyzes were performed to determine the relationships between EWL and EWV values and meteorological variables. Statistical compliance was examined by correlation (r) and probability (p) tests at 5 % significance level. In conclusion, while there are general changes in EWL and EWV values, it has been determined that there are generally decreases since 2004.When the long-year changes are generally examined, it was determined that there was an average decrease of 0.833 m (0.091 %) in EWL values and 698.956 hm(3) (18.750 %) in EWV values. In addition, the increase in maximum temperature, maximum relative humidity and maximum wind speed in the lake basin, while the decrease in total annual precipitation affected EWL and EWV changes. It has been concluded that as a result of agricultural activities, water use for irrigation purposes and drinking water supply for settlements affect EWL and EWV in Lake Egirdir basin. In addition, it is inevitable that the lack of planning for the use of water resources will adversely affect our water resources with climate change.