Lake Katlabukh, which supplies communities and agricultural enterprises in southern Odessa region, is on the verge of drying out.
This was reported by the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council.
“Currently, the reservoir is only 57% full, and experts predict that by July 1 it will reach dead volume. This means disruption of the hydrological regime, significant deterioration of water quality, loss of water supply sources for settlements in Izmail district, reduction of biodiversity, collapse of the irrigation system, and crop loss on thousands of hectares,” the statement reads.
The Water Users Organization “Water of Life,” which unites farming enterprises, communal services, local residents, and other water consumers in the Katlabukh basin, appealed to authorities on June 17, 2025, requesting urgent intervention in the emergency situation.
In a letter sent to the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministry of Agrarian Policy, Odessa Regional Military Administration, and other institutions, it is noted that Lake Katlabukh in Izmail district of Odessa region is the only source of water supply for the settlements located on its shore.
“The water from the lake is used for domestic and agricultural needs. The population has no other water source. Wells are already drying up,” the appeal says.
Currently, 15,000 residents of settlements in Izmail district are at risk of losing water supply, and more than 8,500 hectares of agricultural land face crop failure. Among them are 2,000 hectares of early cereals and 6,000 hectares of corn, sunflower, legumes, and vegetables.
More than 30 farming enterprises are at risk, most of which are small and medium-sized businesses, key employers in the villages.
“According to the operating rules of the Katlabukh reservoir, after filling the reservoir to the normal retention level (NRL) during the flood period, it is necessary to pump water during the summer using the pumping station GNS SZS (managed by the State Fisheries Agency) to maintain the water level at NRL,” the letter explains, adding that this filling was not carried out this summer, which led to the crisis.
Funds to fill the lake have not yet been found, although the Ukrainian state budget law for 2025 allocated 84 million UAH to the State Fisheries Agency for electricity purchase to operate the pumping stations. According to preliminary estimates, about 43.4 million UAH is needed to fill Lake Katlabukh.
