Lake Van is Drying Up, Ancient Urartian Road Emerges

Turkish civil society organizations are raising the alarm: Lake Van continues to dry up rapidly. In recent years, the water level has dropped unprecedentedly due to climate change, lack of precipitation, and poor management of water resources. The situation is so concerning that the receding water has revealed historical structures that have been underwater for centuries.

Recently, as a result of the falling water level, a large part of an ancient stone road, about one kilometer long, connecting one of the islands to the mainland, built during the Urartian period, has become visible. About 80% of this road, located on the border of the Tushpa (Tosp) district, is now completely exposed, uncovering the history hidden in the depths of the lake.

According to Dr. Mustafa Akkuş, from the Faculty of Water Resources at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Lake Van, which is Turkey's largest lake with a surface area of 3,712 square kilometers, has suffered serious water loss in recent years. He notes that precipitation was particularly scarce in the winter of 2025, and summer temperatures were higher than seasonal norms, leading to a significant drop in the water level.

"Just 3-5 years ago, this area was completely covered with water, and today it has turned into dry land. Only 200-300 meters remain between Çarpanak Island and the shore," the scientist noted.

According to Akkuş, if the climatic conditions are just as unfavorable in 2026 and there is not enough precipitation in the winter, then in a few years, people will be able to walk to the island. However, he expressed hope that abundant precipitation will raise the lake's level again, and Çarpanak (Ktuts) will once again become an island surrounded by the blue waters of Lake Van.

Çarpanak (Ktuts) Island has a rich historical past. The Ktuts Monastery (St. John's Monastery), built in the 9th or 11th century, is located there. The exposure of the road, although an interesting archaeological discovery, is actually a testament to the very serious environmental challenge facing the region. Turkish civil society organizations continue to express their concern, emphasizing that the changes in the lake's water level over the last 17 years have reached alarming proportions, and immediate and coordinated steps are needed to save the historic lake.