Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable body of water globally and South America's most significant lake, is facing alarming drops in water levels following an unparalleled winter heatwave. Rapidly declining water levels are causing distress, disrupting the fishing and agriculture trades, which local residents heavily depend on for their livelihoods.
Nazario Charca, a local who ferries tourists around the lake and depends on it for his survival, expressed his fears. "We don't know what we will do from now until December because the water will keep getting lower," said the 63-year-old lake dweller.
The South American gem, often referred to as an "inland sea," has been a tourist magnet for its pristine blue waters and open skies. Spanning more than 3,200 square miles across Peru and Bolivia's borders, the lake is situated about 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level in the central Andes mountain range. The lake's location exposes it to high solar radiation levels, which increases evaporation rates and contributes to the severity of water loss.
Over three million people live along the shore of the lake, dependent on its waters for their day-to-day livelihood activities, such as fishing and farming, and on the influx of tourists who contribute to the local economy. However, this mainstay is increasingly under threat.
Fluctuations in water levels are not novel; they occur annually. Still, the amplitude of these changes has surged due to the climate crisis in recent years. A winter heatwave of record magnitude has spurred on evaporation rates and reduced lake water levels. This phenomenon worsened the water deficits caused by a prolonged drought.
Sixto Flores, the director of Peru's national meteorology and hydrology service (Senamhi) in Puno, noted a 49% decrease in precipitation from August 2022 to March 2023, a period typically marked by abundant rainfall and restoration of water levels.
Flores forewarned that by December, the water levels might dip to the lowest ever recorded since 1996 if the current rates of evaporation persist—a situation he described as "very serious."
This reduction in water levels aligns with a trend of "gradual decline" observed over recent years. Satellite information analysis revealed that Lake Titicaca is losing roughly 120 million metric tons of water every year, primarily because of shifts in precipitation and runoff.
The lower water levels are exacerbating existing issues like declining fish stocks due to pollution and overfishing. Adverse effects on farming have been noted too, with agriculture taking a hit due to drought. Crops, especially local staples like quinoa and potatoes, suffered significantly during the last harvest season – a fatal blow to a region already mired in economic and social troubles. Visitor boats have been stranded due to low water levels, leading to fewer tourists and reduced area income.
The protestors demanding President Dina Boluarte's resignation fueled this decline in tourists. Unrest scenes on the Peruvian side of the lake deterred potential visitors who feared instability. The existing pandemic-induced hardship and local political unrest have forced inhabitants to leave the region due to scarcity of essentials like food.
Looking ahead, it does not seem like relief is on the horizon, as the El Nino phenomenon—characterized by warmer-than-usual temperatures in the Pacific Ocean impacting South American weather—is currently active.
Connor Baker, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, stressed the importance of sustainable management strategies due to the intensifying effects of climate change. "Local communities reliant on the lake for livelihoods are particularly vulnerable, underscoring the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by more intense fluctuations in the water level," Baker said.
