KIZILIRMAK BASIN

Develi Endorheic Basin-Sultan Sazlığı

The discharge of domestic wastewater from the neighborhoods in the Develi Endorheic Basin creates a significant environmental pressure for the Develi Plain and wetlands. The wastewater of the Develi district is discharged to Yay Lake, which is located in a natural protected area. The wastewater of Yahyalı district is discharged to agricultural areas and Sultansazlığı in a natural protected area in summer, and to Ağcaşar Dam through diversion in winter. Domestic wastewater poses a risk of pollution in this region. Although there is WWTP in Develi, it cannot be operated efficiently, especially in winter. In addition to the present natural protected areas, the region can be described as a hot spot because it is exposed to domestic and agricultural pollution. The joint WWTP of Develi-Sindelhöyük-Zile-Gazi settlements, which are located in the water collection area of ​​the endorheic basin, should carry out advanced treatment to ensure nutrient removal. Constructing WWTPs in the municipalities of Dündarlı and Hacıbeyli, which are included in the basin, will reduce the impact of domestic wastewater, which has an important role in the pollution of wetlands in the region. Another problem in the Develi sub-basin is water scarcity. In order to solve this problem, water transfer has started from Zamanti River in Seyhan Basin via Zamanti (Gıcık) Tunnel within the scope of Develi 2nd stage irrigation project. With this tunnel, 102,85 hm3 of water will be transferred annually and 22,350 ha of agricultural land will be irrigated in the Develi Plain.

Palas Tuzla Lake

Palas Tuzla Lake (area 25-35 km2) is located on the Palas Plain, 40 km northeast of Kayseri. The important water resources of the lake are Değirmen, Yertaşpınar, Körpınar, Başpınar and Soğukpınar streams. Declared as a grade 1 natural site in 1993, the lake is also on the Ramsar Sites list of Turkey. As a result of the decreasing precipitation due to global warming, the lake level is decreasing; therefore, the number of creatures around the lake is decreasing. For this reason, it is important to take long-term measures against the effects of climate change on the water level.

Misli Plain

There is an intense otato production in Niğde and Nevşehir provinces. Nevşehir Province holds the 10% of the total production of the country. Although a significant part of the Misli Plain between Nevşehir and Niğde is located the Konya Endorheic Basin, a part of it is also located in the Kızılırmak Basin. Due to the excessive use of fertilizers, an area of ​​15,000 decares has been quarantined against the danger of carcinogenic substances in some parts of the Misli Plain. For this reason, this region has been determined as a hotspot.