ISLAMABAD: The dry, barren banks of Rawal Lake have left visitors disappointed as of late.

The water has receded by several metres from all sides of the lake. This is not unusual towards the end of June, the hottest and driest month of the year, when the water level in the lake is typically close to dead level.

Regardless, the lake of water has exposed the old Murree Road and many of the boats and water cycles appear to be lying on dry land; a depressing sight for Rawal Lake’s many visitors.

The authorities, however, are confident the situation is not serious.

“There is currently no serious threat to the water level at the lake. There is enough water for 90-days’ supply to Rawalpindi city,” an official from the Punjab Irrigation Department told Dawn.

He added: “But the general public, mainly picnickers, think the situation is gruesome after they see the dry banks.”

He said the upcoming monsoon rain would refill the lake soon.

“The water cycle in this region ends in June and the monsoon begins in July,” the official said. “Currently the water level in Rawal Lake is 1,736.4ft, which is well above the dead level of 1,708ft.”

In terms of storage, there is currently 16,000 acre ft of water in the lake, and with a daily supply of 100 acre ft to Rawalpindi, the Punjab Irrigation Department can continue to provide water for up to 90 days.

At the same time, the authorities are worried by silting and sedimentation, which has taken its toll on the lake’s capacity and resulted in a decline in the lake’s water-holding capacity over time.

There has not been a sedimentation survey of Rawal Lake in 18 years. After it was built in 1962 by the Punjab government, the lake’s first sedimentation survey was carried out in the late 80s. The second was in 2000.

The Punjab Irrigation Department has been in discussion with the Water and Power Development Authority to conduct the survey. If successful, as the discussions are expected to be, the third sedimentation survey may be conducted next winter.

According to the last survey, the original capacity of the lake – 47,000 acre ft – was reduced to 37,000 acre ft by 2000.

Rawal Lake was originally established to cater to Rawalpindi and Islamabad’s requirements for water, but the 8.8sq km lake is more than just a water reservoir for the twin cities.

The lake outlived the proposed 50-year life of small dams in 2012, but it continues to help maintain the groundwater level in Islamabad and is a popular picnic spot for twin cities’ residents.

Even the sedimentation in the lake has had some positive impact; small islands developed out of silt deposits in the lake cater to the undistributed natural undergrowth and vegetation, inviting migratory birds and supporting fish species that in turn support the food chain of birds and animals.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2018