"The Complex Tisza Lake Project, realised with an investment of HUF 6.6 billion, stabilises the water management of the Tisza-Körös Valley, improves the security of the region's agricultural production and protects ecological diversity", announced Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas, after laying the foundation stone at the construction site in Kisköre, Heves County.

The main objective of the programme, which involves five counties and is being realised within the framework of the new Széchenyi Plan with funding from the European Union and the State of Hungary, is to assure the replacement of water in the Tisza Lake and its connected waterways, the flow-off of water in times of flooding and the replacement of water used for irrigation in periods of drought, the Minister of Rural Development stated. Among others, channels with accumulated sludgy beds will be dredged, and out of date equipment and so-called inlet works will be modernised, he added.

Sándor Fazekas told the press that the largest ever investment since the existence of the 126 square kilometre water surface Tisza Lake would make it possible for 35 thousand hectares of land to have access to irrigation water of suitable quantity and quality. The latter is especially important with regard to the Körös Valley, which is Hungary's most arid area. Continued agricultural production on the territory is only possible in the drier, summer months by using water channelled from the River Tisza. The project and the establishment of a balanced water supply is also necessary in the interests of protecting against climate change, he added. The new project also contributes to preserving the wildlife and ecological balance of Hungary's primary area for eco-tourism, the Tisza Lake reservoir.

Deputy Technical Director of the Central Tisza District Water Management Directorate Béla Horváth reported on the fact that the project would result in the  refurbishment of the equipment and works of the Eastern Main Canal and Nagykunság Main Canal, the removal of accumulated sludge from the bed of the estuary section, and the reconstruction of regulatory equipment in the interests of assuring the water requirements of agriculture, fisheries and angling. In addition, the reconstruction of the Szarvas-Káka pumping station and the floodgates of one of the irrigation system's main channels, the Hortobágy-Berettyó, would also be performed. Furthermore, a modern control and regulation system would be installed, which will place regional water management on new foundations. In addition to all these, a so-called fish ladder would also be constructed adjacent to the water barrage in Kisköre, which will allow the "travel" of aquatic wildlife that has made a home in the river and the lake, i.e. the ecological connection between upstream and downstream environments, Mr. Horváth said, detailing the project.

(Ministry of Rural Development)