There is no water left in the Üzümdere River, which feeds the Oymapınar and Manavgat dams, except for the ponds. Since there is no water flowing in the river except for the small ponds in some places, the living creatures in the river also perished.
Causes of River Drying
People living in the region say that the river, which used to flow until November in previous years, has dried up in these seasons in recent years. The reason for the river drying up is that the summer and autumn rains do not come on time and the old snow does not fall in the winter.
‘It has been drying up for 8 years’
Ayşe Çelik, one of the locals who saw the Üzümdere River dry up, says that there used to be a little water flowing in the Üzümdere River even in the summer months. However, she states that the river has started to dry up in the last 8 years. Çelik says that the drying up of the Üzümdere River has accelerated and that it dried up earlier this year than in previous years.
Living Beings Are Dying
Ayşe Çelik states that the creatures living in the region have also perished due to the drying up of the river. She says that she was very saddened by the sight she saw. She stated that she observed that trout fry died and that crabs also perished in the drying water.
‘Water Level Reaches 8-10 Meters in Winter’
Çelik, who said that the Üzümdere River is one of the most important branches feeding the Oymapınar Dam, stated that the water level of the river rises to 8-10 meters in the winter months. However, due to the dry weather in recent years, the Üzümdere River has also been affected.
