If you've ever driven by a lake you're familiar with and lamented that the water was clearly lower than it had been before, then you probably also know the thrill that you feel when water levels rise.
Experts who monitor Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan got to feel that elation recently. After years of making a concerted effort to support the lake and help restore it, they got to see their hard work start to pay off. According to the Kazinform International News Agency, water levels in the lake are up 12 centimeters since the same time last year.
According to a recent article in the Journal of Water & Climate Change, Lake Balkhash provides a valuable source of freshwater for plants, animals, and humans, especially when the area goes through dry periods.
Another article in the Journal of Great Lakes Research noted that there are a lot of things scientists don't know about Lake Balkhash and that more research is needed to understand exactly how it was formed and how it interacts with the rest of its environment.
However, more freshwater is usually a good thing.
It means next time there's a dry period, there might be enough water for everything that depends on this lake to survive. The fact that the water levels are rising means that focused international efforts to save the lake are paying off. People care about these things, and it shows when they make plans and follow through on them to produce such tangible results.
If you care about freshwater, start by voting for politicians who also care. They are the ones who will introduce legislation that benefits bodies of water and the people who depend on them. Initiatives like this are paying off closer to home than Kazakhstan, as water levels in the Great Salt Lake and Lake Tahoe have also improved.
|
How would you describe the quality of your tap water? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Great 👍 
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
