In the Ukrainian region of the Danube Delta, rewilding efforts have reconnected Lake Kartal with the life-giving waters of the Danube River. The rapid recovery of the lake and the increasing benefits it provides to nature and local communities demonstrate how powerful wetland restoration can be.
Oleksandr Kurakin / Making Europe Wild Again
Toward a more desolate wetland
Over the past 300 years, half of all wetlands in Europe have been drained to make way for housing, industry and agriculture. But we can still turn the tide on these vital life support systems. Around the world, initiatives such as those led by Rewilding Europe are proving that wetland restoration is not only possible, but can be very successful. With the right steps, wetlands can recover and thrive faster than we expect, rebuilding their natural resilience and renewing the life-giving benefits that people and wildlife depend on.
Oleksandr Kurakin / Making Europe Wild Again
The rebirth of Lake Kartal
The revitalization of Lake Kartal and the surrounding area in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta rewilding area is a good example. Over the past six years, with funding from the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes program, the Rewilding Ukraine team and local partners have brought new life to more than 18,000 hectares of land and water by removing dams and other barriers, clearing silted waterways and installing channels. This enabled a more dynamic and natural water exchange with the Danube, helping to reverse decades of human intervention that had blocked much of the river’s floodplain.
These actions are already changing the environment. Now water once again flows freely through lakes, channels and reeds. Wetland plants are returning, fish populations are recovering, and waterfowl are arriving in increasing numbers. These signs of renewal show that the whole system is regaining strength and vitality.
“It was amazing to see how quickly the wetlands of the Danube Delta were becoming wilder,” says Oleg Dyakov, head of wildflowers at Rewilding Ukraine. “Nature has an amazing ability to heal itself when the ecosystem here is supplied with sufficient water and that water is clean. Following the initial restoration phase, we saw several parts of the landscape bounce back almost immediately.”
loop completion
The final and most extensive phase of Kartal Lake restoration is now complete. In recent months, more than 5km of the Luzarza Channel at the western end of the lake has been reopened to heavy equipment, increasing the amount of water entering the lake from the Danube by 40%. This intervention, which will bring the water body much closer to its natural state, will revitalize approximately 450 hectares of floodplain, improving habitat for a variety of fish, birds, mammals and invertebrates. It also strengthens the natural connection between Lake Kartal and the smaller Lake Kahul through an 11 km long dynamic water cycle.
“In the past, embankments and irrigation systems separated vast floodplain areas from the main waterway of the Danube,” explains Panas Zhechkov, director of the Izmail Water Resources Department, who has been collaborating with the Rewilding Ukraine team on rewilding efforts for several years. “This has resulted in lower water levels and quality, leading to green algae blooms and reduced fish stocks.
“Once this restoration work is complete, Lake Kartal’s water levels and quality will continue to rise, while fish populations will become more abundant, birds will once again feed and nest here, and local people will be able to irrigate these waters again.”
hope for the future
The revival of Lake Kartal is more than a local success story. It is a powerful reminder of what is possible even in the shadow of war. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Danube Delta is facing significant uncertainty, placing additional strain on both people and nature. But as water once again flows freely through this unique landscape, life returns in abundance and the connection between communities and the natural environment grows stronger.
At a time when conflict is destroying livelihoods and limiting the development of nature-based tourism, Lake Kartal stands as a beacon of hope. When peace returns, healthier wetlands and abundant wildlife will help draw visitors back to the Ukrainian part of the Delta, supporting local economic growth. More abundant fish stocks and cleaner water are already providing new opportunities for local fishermen and farmers, helping to restore traditional livelihoods that depend on thriving ecosystems. These changes demonstrate how natural restoration can play a critical role in healing landscapes, enriching communities, and building a more resilient future for all.
