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| Büyükçekmece Reservoir | |
|---|---|
| Name | Büyükçekmece Reservoir |
| Location | Istanbul Province, Turkey |
| Type | reservoir |
| Inflow | Marmara Sea? |
| Outflow | Marmara Sea |
| Basin countries | Turkey |
| Built | 1988 |
Büyükçekmece Reservoir
Büyükçekmece Reservoir is an artificial impoundment in the western suburbs of Istanbul, Turkey, created to augment municipal water supplies for a rapidly expanding metropole. The reservoir lies near the confluence of historic transport corridors linking Europe and Asia and serves as a focal point for regional planning involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), and Turkish water utilities. Its development and operation intersect with matters involving neighboring districts such as Büyükçekmece (district), Çatalca, and infrastructural projects including the D100 highway and the European route E80.
The reservoir functions as a storage basin impounding the outflow of the Büyükçekmece inlet on the northern margin of the Marmara Sea, supporting municipal potable supply, flood attenuation, and local irrigation. Constructed in the late 20th century to alleviate deficits arising from demographic growth in Istanbul Province, it integrates with the city's broader network that includes facilities like Ömerli Dam, Alibeyköy Dam, and Terkos Lake. Management responsibilities are shared among national and municipal agencies, with oversight linked to institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Turkey) and the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ).
Planning for the reservoir emerged amid postwar urbanization trends that accelerated during the 1970s and 1980s, paralleling major initiatives such as the Ankara-Istanbul rail modernization and housing expansions that reshaped districts including Beyoğlu and Beşiktaş. Construction commenced under directives from State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) and culminated in 1988 with completion of the embankment and intake works. The project was contemporaneous with international engineering exchanges involving firms from Germany, Italy, and France that contributed design studies, while procurement and contracting reflected Turkey’s domestic industry growth exemplified by contractors active in projects like the Bosporus Bridge and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge.
Situated on the European side of Istanbul Province, the reservoir occupies a coastal plain bordered by limestone and alluvial formations mapped by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA). The catchment drains portions of Büyükçekmece (district), with surface runoff influenced by Mediterranean climate patterns tied to seasonal cyclones that affect the Marmara Region. Hydrologic inputs include winter precipitation, urban runoff from arterial corridors such as the D100 highway, and limited groundwater discharge documented by hydrogeological surveys performed by the Istanbul Technical University (ITU). Salinity exchange with the nearby Marmara Sea is constrained by a narrow inlet and engineered controls at the dam crest.
The principal structure is an embankment dam with concrete and zoned fill elements designed according to standards promoted by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). Auxiliary infrastructure comprises intake towers, raw water conveyance pipelines, and treatment works linked to İSKİ treatment plants. The reservoir interfaces with regional conveyance schemes that include pumping stations and transfer lines similar in scale to interbasin works connecting Terkos Lake and Ömerli Dam. Instrumentation for monitoring includes piezometers, inclinometers, and telemetry systems installed following guidelines from engineering faculties at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and consultancy inputs from firms that have engaged on projects like the Ankara Metro.
Water from the reservoir is treated and distributed to serve residential and commercial zones across western Istanbul, supplementing supplies from sources such as Terkos Lake and the Melen project. Operational management balances storage targets against seasonal demand cycles driven by population centers including Esenyurt, Avcılar, and Beylikdüzü, and coordinates with emergency preparedness frameworks involving İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Quality control follows protocols aligned with Turkish drinking water standards and monitoring by laboratories associated with İstanbul University and municipal environmental units. Demand management initiatives and leakage reduction programs mirror utility reforms seen in municipalities like Ankara and Izmir.
Creation of the reservoir transformed coastal wetland and littoral habitats originally occupied by halophytic vegetation and avifauna tied to the Marmara Sea shoreline. Ecological assessments by researchers from Boğaziçi University and İstanbul University documented shifts in species composition among waterbirds, fish, and benthic communities, with impacts on migratory pathways used en route to wetlands such as Lake Manyas. Concerns over eutrophication, nutrient loading from urban runoff, and invasive species prompted monitoring programs and remediation measures analogous to conservation efforts at Küçükçekmece Lagoon and restoration projects undertaken in the Gediz Delta. Collaborative initiatives have involved NGOs and academic centers focused on biodiversity and wetland conservation.
The reservoir and adjoining shoreline parks have become destinations for local recreation, attracting visitors from districts including Büyükçekmece (district), Bakırköy, and Sarıyer for activities such as walking, birdwatching, and sailing events organized by clubs with links to institutions like Istanbul Sailing Club. Nearby cultural attractions include historical sites in Büyükçekmece (district) and modern venues that host festivals tied to municipal cultural calendars curated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Recreational use is managed to mitigate pressures on water quality and habitat values, with zoning and permits coordinated between municipal parks departments and water authorities.
Category:Reservoirs in Turkey Category:Istanbul Province