The effect of pandemic on dams: The case of Ankara province (Çamlıdere Dam, Kurtboğazı Dam, Kesikköprü Dam)

Clean water resources, which are vital for the continuity of living life, it is in danger with increasing population, global climate change and unconscious consumption. In this study, it is aimed to determine the effect of increased water consumption in pandemic conditions on dams that meet the drinking and utility water needs of cities. For this purpose, Kesikköprü, Çamlıdere and Kurtboğazı dams, which provide drinking and utility water needs of Ankara province, are taken as samples. Firstly, the condition of Kesikköprü, Çamlıdere and Kurtboğazı dams in the last 20 years has been examined by evaluating the amount of water coming to the dam, the amount of water withdrawn from the dam and the amount of evaporated water. Between the years 2020-2022, which includes the pandemic period, water consumption values were examined and it was determined that the consumption values increased in line with the obtained information. It is thought that this situation has an effect on water consumption of personal hygiene measures such as hand washing, which are encouraged to protect from the disease during the pandemic period. The increase in consumption values in homes and businesses and the decrease in parks and gardens and official institutions are explained by the cleaning measures during the pandemic period. In general, an increase in the amount of water withdrawn from the dams was detected during the pandemic period. A direct relationship with climate is determined in the change of the amount of water coming into and withdrawn from the dams. It is determined that the amount of water coming into the dams increases or decreases depending on whether the period has a rainy or dry season. A direct relationship has been determined between the population and consumption amounts, and it has been determined that the amount of water consumed increases with the increase in the population. As a result of all these evaluations, in water consumption; It has been observed that the cleaning measures that encourage the consumption of water applied in order to prevent the disease in the climate, population and pandemic period have an effect.