site.btaControlled Release from Studena Dam Begins After Significant Rise in Water Levels

Water Supply and Sewerage Pernik has begun controlled releases from the Studena dam, Western Bulgaria, after a significant rise in water levels caused by heavy rainfall in recent days, the company announced. In the past 24 hours alone, the reservoir’s volume has increased by more than 400,000 cubic meters, reaching 23.71 million cubic meters out of a maximum capacity of 25.2 million.

Official data show that inflow over the past day has reached 5,561 litres per second, while outflow stands at just 613 litres per second. An additional 800 litres per second is being released as a precaution to maintain the dam’s safe operating balance. The company states it is in constant coordination with Irrigation Systems and local authorities.

According to the updated monthly water-use schedule, the volume of the Studena dam must not exceed 24.2 million cubic meters, which requires continued controlled releases whenever necessary.

On Friday, Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov approved an amendment to the reservoir’s monthly water-use schedule. The change was made following a request from Water Supply and Sewerage Pernik, citing the need to free up capacity to accommodate expected inflows.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has ordered round-the-clock monitoring of the Struma River and its watershed along the entire stretch downstream from the Studena dam. No more water may be released from the reservoir than the approved limits, he said, noting that only 40 centimetres remain before potential overflow. Zhelyazkov made the remarks during a visit to Simitli, Southwestern Bulgaria, one of the municipalities affected by the heavy rains. He stressed the importance of having full forecasts and transparency should additional releases from the Studena dam become necessary. The situation caused by heavy rains and floods in Blagoevgrad Region has been brought under control, Zhelyazkov said in Razlog on Saturday.