Lake Balaton Tells the Story of 11,000 Years of Droughts 🌊

The low water level of Lake Balaton in 2026 once again sharply highlighted the vulnerability of the lake and the surrounding settlements' water resources. ELTE researchers have now used the "climate archive" preserved in the lake's sediment to reveal what extreme dry periods occurred in the Carpathian Basin over the past 11,000 years.

Between 2021 and April 2026, a cumulative precipitation deficit of nearly 500 millimeters developed in the Lake Balaton catchment area, while the 2025–2026 winter recharge was 26 percent below average. This deficit directly affects the lakeside settlements: at the beaches of Siófok, Keszthely, and Balatonfüred, lower water levels are to be expected already in spring, which affects navigation, fishing, and bathing tourism alike.

According to the researchers, persistent anticyclones and upper-level ridges divert the fronts bringing precipitation, while warmer air and wind increase evaporation. Global warming strengthens this process because, starting from a higher temperature base, the evaporative water demand increases. The drying soil further warms the air, which can also transform the microclimate of the Balaton basin.

The lessons from the 11,000-year-old sediment samples show that the lake has experienced severe droughts before, but the current changes are faster and more intense. For locals and holidaymakers, this means that water level fluctuations must be prepared for in the long term – sustainable water management and conscious tourism are now essential for the future of Lake Balaton. 🌊

Source: hvg.hu