BULGARIA LOSES FROM ITS TERRITORY DUE TO EROSION OF THE DANUBE RIVER

Erosion along the banks of the river Danube in Bulgaria eats into the territory of the country, causing loss of land. According to studies of the Agency for Exploration and Maintenance of the River Danube (AEMRD), over the past 100 years, Bulgaria has lost 6,000 acres from its official area.

In the most recent studies the specialists compared the maps of the river Danube since 1908 onwards and identified the reduction of the land area along the banks.

The strong erosion results from the huge difference in the water level of the river – from zero to 9 metres.

The Island of Batin is the most significantly damaged area. It has been shortened by half kilometer for the last 2 years. Another affected area is the island of Lyulyaka. However reinforcement for the time being appeared to be mission impossible. The director of the AEMRD, Georgi Georgiev says that it requires lots of financing that neither Bulgaria, nor Romania can afford it at this stage.

So under the pressure of the water flow, the island groups change their location. Some move from Bulgarian territorial waters to Romanian and vice versa. Currently, a review for 8 sand formations needs to be done to specify where they belong to.