Caspian Sea Water Levels Plummet, Sparking Ecological Concerns

Water levels in the Caspian Sea, recognized as the largest enclosed body of water on the planet, have fallen to unprecedented lows, as reported by the Russian state news agency TASS, referencing a research institute in Astrakhan.

Experts from the Volga-Caspian Fisheries Research Institute indicated that the water level in the Caspian Sea is now over 29 meters below that of the Baltic Sea, which is a common reference point used in Russia and several former Soviet countries for measuring the depths of landlocked bodies of water in the area.

Throughout the last century, the average level of the Caspian Sea has fluctuated, but it generally remains around 26 to 27 meters beneath the Baltic Sea level.

“The most significant drop in sea level is found in the shallow northern region, adjacent to Russia and Kazakhstan,» stated the institute to TASS. “This area is witnessing a retreat of the water, resulting in the exposure of extensive seabed sections. It is also home to the most biologically diverse and densely populated ecosystems.”

Since 2015, the Caspian Sea has been experiencing a troubling decline, with a decrease of nearly 80 centimeters in water levels over the past five years, according to the research institute.

Scientists attribute this reduction to a mix of climate change, which increases evaporation rates, and diminished water input from rivers that flow into the sea, particularly the Volga and Ural Rivers.

The Volga River, originating in Russia and responsible for supplying more than 80% of the Caspian’s water, is facing increasing pressure from dam construction and the expansion of irrigation for agricultural purposes along its banks, experts note.

This decline in water levels poses a significant threat to the delicate ecosystem of the Caspian Sea, including endangered species like the wild sturgeon and the Caspian seal.