Sustainability and Challenges of Water Occupancy Rates of İmranlı Dam Lake in the Rural Region of Sivas Province, Türkiye

Studies on water occupancy rates have an important share in the sustainability of dam lakes, which are an important component of aquatic ecosystems. İmranlı Dam Lake was built between 1994-2002 for energy and agricultural irrigation purposes. This study is about the water occupancy rates of the İmranlı Dam Lake, located in Sivas province of Türkiye, between the years 2010-2021. The highest water occupancy rate of İmranlı Dam Lake was determined as 76.20 percent in 2018, while the lowest water occupancy rate was 27.70% in 2012. The average annual water occupancy rate of İmranlı Dam Lake between 2010-2021 was calculated as 56.86 percent. According to these values, it was determined that the water occupancy rates of the İmranlı Dam Lake did not face a significant decrease between the years 2010-2021. As a result, there is no short-term problem in terms of water occupancy rates in İmranlı Dam Lake. However, this does not mean that it will not be a problem in the long run. For this reason, taking into account the possible effects of climate change (CC), the water of İmranlı Dam Lake should be used sparingly and consciously. As a result of all these measures that can be taken, sustainability will be ensured in the İmranlı Dam Lake, and at the same time, water scarcity will be prevented, the continuity of aquatic vitality will be ensured and losses will be prevented.