Assessment of Drought Hazard of Yapıaltın Dam Lake (Sivas-Türkiye) According to the Water Occupancy Rates of the Last Thirteen Years

Abstract

Global problems affect all living things. Global warming and the resulting global climate change affect the natural balance in the systems and processes of the hydrobiological cycle. The number one factor necessary for the continuation of life on earth is water. But the world has been in danger of drought for a very long time. Drought danger is a serious problem that can lead to a decrease in biodiversity, drying of vegetation, soil erosion, decrease in agricultural production, decrease in water resources and water scarcity. Yapıaltın Dam Lake was established between 1975-1977 for agricultural irrigation and flood protection. This research focused on the assessment of drought hazard in Yapıaltın Dam Lake according to the water occupancy rates of the last thirteen years. For this reason, the data of the water occupancy rates in Yapıaltın Dam Lake for the years 2010-2022 were presented and evaluated in this research. As a result, the average water fill rate of Yapıaltın Dam Lake, which has fallen below 20 percent compared to the last thirteen years, carries a potential risk for agricultural irrigation. For this reason, the waters of the Yapıaltın Dam Lake should be used more consciously than ever before and classical irrigation methods should be abandoned.