A combination of prolonged drought and extreme heat has drained the Okjeongho reservoir in South Korea, exposing its lakebed [1].
The receding water levels signal a critical environmental crisis in the region. As an artificial reservoir created by the Seomjin River Dam, Okjeongho serves as a vital water resource for Imsil County and surrounding areas in North Jeolla Province [1].
Recent weather patterns have pushed the region to a breaking point. Temperatures previously rose above 40 °C [1], contributing to a rapid evaporation of surface water. The resulting dry, grass-like plain now covers areas that were previously submerged under deep water [1].
Local observers have noted the drastic change in the landscape. Kim Min-sung, a reporter for YTN, said the water has receded so significantly that the lake bottom is fully visible [2].
Kim said Bungeo Island, a landmass that typically floats in the center of the lake when water levels are normal, is affected [2]. Because the surrounding land has dried into a wide plain, some locals have suggested the island should now be called "Gwang-eo Island," referring to a flatfish [2].
The crisis is not limited to a single reservoir. An anchor for YTN said the southern region of the country has faced a double burden due to the compound disaster of heat waves and drought [2].
While the reservoir remains a key piece of infrastructure for the Seomjin River Dam system, the current state of the lakebed illustrates the vulnerability of the region's water security during extreme weather events [1].
“The water has receded so significantly that the lake bottom is fully visible.”
The drying of the Okjeongho reservoir demonstrates the increasing impact of compound climate disasters—where heat waves and drought occur simultaneously—on South Korea's water infrastructure. The transition of a reservoir into a dry plain threatens local agriculture and municipal water supplies, highlighting a need for more resilient water management systems in the southern provinces.
